U.S. Navy awards RTX an SM-6 contract to boost munitions production

The Department of the Navy has awarded a multi-year procurement contract for the SM-6 missile, a move officials say is designed to boost production capacity, stabilize the munitions industrial base, and deliver cost savings through a long-term agreement. The action follows a recent Tomahawk award and is part of a wider push to accelerate weapons output across the naval enterprise under Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) Munitions.

“Maritime strength demands weapons at speed and scale,” said Cao. “This investment expands production and delivers the firepower our warfighters need to fight, win, and come home safe.”

Navy leaders framed the SM-6 award as a demand signal to industry that provides the predictability needed to add workforce, expand factory throughput, and reinforce supply chains supporting critical munitions.

“Combat credibility depends on having enough weapons, produced at the speed and scale the Fleet requires,” said Adm. Daryl Caudle, Chief of Naval Operations. “This SM-6 award gives industry the demand signal and stability to expand production, strengthen the munitions industrial base, and build the magazine depth our Fleet needs. That is the Foundry delivering for the Fleet – and ensuring our Sailors have the combat power to fight and win.”

The Navy did not disclose the value, quantities, or delivery schedule associated with the multi-year buy. Multi-year munitions contracts, which Congress has encouraged in recent defense policy and spending measures, are intended to reduce unit costs, provide suppliers steadier workloads, and shorten production lead times.

“This award demonstrates what is possible when the Department leverages innovative acquisition approaches to deliver capability at the speed of relevance,” said Ms. Van Hendrey, Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Munitions. “Through PAE Munitions, we are bringing together the authorities, resources, and partnerships needed to accelerate production, reduce costs, and strengthen the industrial base that supports our warfighters.”

The SM-6, a multi-mission Standard Missile, is deployed on Aegis-capable surface ships and can engage aircraft and cruise missiles, provide terminal-phase defense against certain ballistic threats, and conduct long-range anti-ship strikes. The Navy’s latest contracting move underscores its push to deepen “magazine depth” across the Fleet amid efforts to rebuild the broader defense industrial base.

PAE Munitions, a Department of the Navy organization, oversees development, procurement, and delivery of naval munitions and strike systems. By consolidating key weapons programs and aligning industry efforts at the enterprise level, the office is intended to speed production, increase capacity, and ensure the Fleet is equipped to project power.