USN orders Harpoon and SLAM-ER weapon systems
The USN has awarded a $3.1 billion contract for Boeing’s Harpoon and Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) weapons systems, in support of FMS customers.
Some $2.6 billion was contracted on 13 May; the remaining funds had already been previously awarded.
Saudi Arabia will receive 650 SLAM-ER missiles whilst Block II Harpoon missiles will be manufactured for Brazil, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Thailand. Harpoon services will also be provided to India, Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea.
Cindy Gruensfelder, VP of Boeing Weapons, said: ‘These awards will not only extend production of the Harpoon programme through 2026, they will also restart the production line for SLAM-ER and ensure deliveries through 2028.’
The latest SLAM-ER was delivered in 2008 but Boeing began construction of a new 35,000ft2 production facility for both the Harpoon and SLAM-ER programmes in October 2019. Construction is set to be completed in 2021.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity]()
RTX Raytheon enhances SM-3 and SM-6 production capacity
The expansion of the Redstone facility in Alabama will enable Raytheon to increase production of Standard Missiles in the location by 50% and support Washington in refilling stockpiles after recent operations have depleted the Pentagon’s reserves.
-
![What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement]()
What the rise of interoperability between Western allies means for defence procurement
Major naval initiatives including the European Patrol Corvette programmes and Norway’s UK partnership-focused purchase of Type 26 frigates point to the growing interest in the advantages of commonality across allied navies.
-
![Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration]()
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
![HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment]()
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
![How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China]()
How Operation Epic Fury could reduce US readiness to face China
The offensive against Iran could impact training and maintenance cycles and accelerate the degradation of the US arsenal on top of depleting Washington’s stockpiles.
-
![UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet]()
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
