US Navy awards Raytheon $338 million for Tomahawk

The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon Company  a $338 million contract for the Tomahawk Block IV tactical cruise missile. The contract, which was announced by the Department of Defense on June 7, includes replenishment of weapons used during Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and procurement for the government's fiscal year 2012.

"Tomahawk Block IV is important for U.S. national security because it enables commanders to precisely engage heavily-defended and high-value targets from extremely long distances," said Capt. Joseph Mauser, the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk program manager. "With more than 2,000 combat uses and 500 successful tests, Tomahawk has proven highly reliable and effective."

The contract calls for Raytheon to build and deliver the Tomahawk Block IV cruise missiles, and provide warranties, flight test and life-cycle support. Production is scheduled to begin this year.

"Tomahawk has a record of reliability, effectiveness and accuracy that no other tactical cruise missile in the world can come close to matching," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems. "This is made possible by more than 250 Raytheon employees building Tomahawk and supporting its depot, and by our suppliers across the country. They are critical to our success and the security of our country and our allies."

About the Tomahawk Block IV

With a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 statute miles), the Tomahawk Block IV is a surface- and submarine-launched, precision-strike, stand-off weapon. Tomahawk is designed for long-range precision-strike missions against high-value and heavily defended targets, such as integrated air defense systems.

Tomahawk Block IV employs a two-way satellite datalink that enables a strike controller to flex the missile in flight to preprogrammed alternate targets or redirect it to a new target. This targeting flexibility includes the capability to loiter over the battlefield and await a more critical target.

More than 2,000 Tomahawks employed in combat.

Tomahawk is integrated on a variety of U.S. and U.K. surface and sub-surface platforms, including the Ohio-, Astute- and Trafalgar-class submarines.

Tomahawk Block IV has a range of more than 1,000 nautical miles (1,150 statute miles).

Republic of Korea Requests Sale of UGM-84L HARPOON Missiles

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified U.S. Congress May 22 of a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Korea for 18 UGM-84L HARPOON Block II All-Up-Round Missiles and associated parts, equipment, logistical support and training for an estimated cost of $84 million.

The Government of Korea has requested a possible sale of 18 UGM-84L HARPOON Block II All-Up-Round Missiles, 1 UGM-84L HARPOON telemetry exercise section, containers, Guidance Control Units (GCU) spares, recertification and reconfiguration support, spare and repair parts, tools and tool sets, support equipment, personnel training and training equipment, publications and technical data, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $84 million.

The Government of Korea is one of the major political and economic powers in East Asia and the Western Pacific and a key partner of the United States in ensuring peace and stability in that region. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our Korean ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability, which will contribute to an acceptable military balance in the area.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) intends to use the HARPOON Block II missiles to supplement its existing HARPOON missile capability. This will enhance the capabilities of the ROK Navy and support its regional influence, a key factor in Overseas Contingency Operations. The acquisition of the HARPOON Block II missiles and support will supplement current weapon inventories and bring the ROK’s Naval Anti-Surface Warfare performance up to existing regional baselines. The proposed sale will provide a defensive capability while enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allied forces. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles into its armed forces. The proposed sale of HARPOON missiles will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractor will be the Boeing Company in St Louis, Missouri. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor personnel to Korea. However, U.S. Government or contractor personnel in-country visits will be required on a temporary basis for program, technical, and management oversight and support requirements.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale. This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded.