Department of War and RTX accelerate advanced medium-range air-to-air missile production with $20.7B award

The Department of War has awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a five-year multi-year contract with two option years valued at up to $20.7 billion to produce Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles, a capability the department described as critical for U.S. and allied air defense. The award, issued Sept. 25, 2026, is part of an effort the department said will nearly double AMRAAM production compared with previous levels.

“We are working across the defense industry to ramp production and build the Arsenal of Freedom,” said Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey. “This award strengthens our ability to equip the Joint Force and our allies with a proven air-to-air capability, ensuring our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”

The contract is being executed as a joint program by the Department of War, the U.S. Air Force, the Navy, and Foreign Military Sales allies. Officials framed the investment as a step to scale domestic manufacturing and bolster security for the United States and its partners.

The department credited congressional authorization for multiyear AMRAAM procurement and said it is seeking continued support and funding to sustain production and provide greater certainty to the industrial base.

The Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, which oversees the portfolio, focuses on equipping the Joint Force and allies with secure, resilient capabilities and on accelerating acquisition and infrastructure modernization. Within the Department of the Air Force, Portfolio Acquisition Executive Weapons manages the design, development, production, and sustainment of air-to-ground and air-to-air munitions for U.S. and allied forces.