Raytheon wins $745 million MDA contract to produce, support missile interceptorsNewsLisa Daigle Assistant Managing Editor Military Embedded SystemsImage courtesy RaytheonTUCSON, Ariz. Raytheon reports that it won a $745 million contract from the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) for the production and sustainment of Standard Missile-3 Block IIA (SM‑3 IIA) interceptors. SM-3 IIA -- a cooperatively developed program between Raytheon and allied Japanese industrial partners -- features a larger rocket motor and an enhanced kinetic warhead from its predecessors, enabling the interceptor to engage threats faster and protect larger regions from short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. "SM-3 Block IIA is a cornerstone of regional defense, giving the U.S. and allied partners greater reach, accuracy and confidence against evolving threats," said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. According to the announcement, Raytheon and RTX have made notable investments to expand capacity and accelerate production of the Standard Missile Family, including a recent $115 million expansion of its Alabama missile integration facility, which will increase the facility's integration and delivery capacity by over 50%. Production under the most recent MDA contract will be completed at Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Arizona and Huntsville, Alabama.