SM-3 Block IIA guidance unit moves towards production
Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA, pictured in a flight test. (Photo: MDA/Ralph Scott)
Raytheon receives contract modification to complete transition work on the Guidance Electronic Unit for the SM-3 Block IIA missile.
Raytheon Missiles and Defense has obtained another contract modification from the Missile Defense Agency for the Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIA missile.
The value of the SM-3 Block IIA contract increases by $90.23 million to reach a cumulative total of $2.76 billion since the original award in July 2015, the DoD noted on 22 July.
The latest modification will see Raytheon complete the transition to production activities for previously awarded Guidance Electronic Unit engineering development activities.
Transition to production includes: perform test, development and systems engineering tasks; development of a software load capability; conversion of legacy test equipment to test configured hardware; and development of new common platform test equipment.
The performance period is from 22 July 2021 to 31 July 2023.
Raytheon co-developed SM-3 Block IIA with Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
![How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces]()
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system]()
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
