Raytheon-Lockheed Martin joint venture wins contract for Javelin missile system
A joint venture between RTX Corp.’s Tucson-based Raytheon division and Lockheed Martin Corp. was recently awarded a $12,064,180 contract for work on the Javelin missile system.
The deal is a fiscal year 2024 production contract for Javelin missiles and associated equipment that has a total value of $1.3 billion. It’s the first follow-on to an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract first awarded in 2023 to the joint venture. Since that time, several contract modifications have been awarded, including one earlier this year.
The Javelin system is described by Raytheon as a guided munition that can be carried by a single soldier and used against vehicles, bunkers and caves. Raytheon (NYSE: RTX) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) have been working together on the Javelin system to supply the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, as well as foreign military clients.
More than 50,000 Javelin missiles and more than 12,000 reusable Command Launch Units have already been produced by the joint venture, and the companies have said that the U.S. military expects to keep the Javelin system in its operational inventory through 2050. Raytheon said this latest award constitutes the largest single-year Javelin production contract to date.
“Now more than ever, Javelin is recognized as the most effective, combat-proven anti-armor weapon system in the world,” Andy Amaro, JJV president and Javelin program director at Raytheon, in a statement. “Through this contract, we will continue to produce and deliver this needed capability to support global ground forces in their efforts to protect and defend their interests and sovereignty.”
Ukraine among Javelin customers
Besides the U.S. military, the Javelin project has been supplying more than 25 international customers, including Australia, Estonia, Georgia, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. Raytheon said the contract includes 4,000 Javelins that will replenish rounds that have been sent to Ukraine, which has been fighting against an invasion by Russia since early 2022.
Work under the latest contract is estimated to be finished by August 2027. While Raytheon’s portion of the project is being done in Tucson, Lockheed Martin’s contract work is based in Orlando, Florida.
“With the increased demand for Javelin worldwide, our ability to ramp production to support our Army customer and global users is more important now than ever,” said Dave Pantano, JJV vice president and Lockheed Martin Javelin program director, in a statement. “This production contract demonstrates how Javelin’s mission-focused capabilities are helping to keep customers Ahead of Ready and defend against threats worldwide.”
Raytheon’s Tucson operation has also won the following deals in recent weeks:
- The Defense Department announced on Aug. 29 that Raytheon was awarded a $24,838,936 contract for 16 All Up Round Magazines (80 missiles) and launchers, lifting and loading devices, training, and supplies for missile storage for the Medium Range Intercept Capability system for the Marine Corps. The work will be done in Tucson, with a final delivery date of April 29, 2027.
- On Aug. 16, the Defense Department announced Raytheon was awarded a U.S. Navy contract modification of $231,936,852 for foreign military sales for the Rolling Airframe Missile Block 2/2A/2B guided missile round pack, spare replacement components, and recertification. Besides Tucson, some of the work will be done in Germany, the UK and other locations in the United States. Work is expected to be completed by July 2028.
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