Boeing wins initial $14.7 billion contract to boost production of Patriot interceptor missile guidance heads

Washington, Oct 5 (KUNA) — U.S. aerospace company Boeing announced on Monday that it secured an initial contract worth approximately $14.7 billion from weapons manufacturer Lockheed Martin to expand production and deliver guidance sections for the enhanced-performance Patriot (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor missiles. In a statement, the company said the move “formalizes a seven-year framework aimed at tripling the production of PAC-3 MSE guidance sections.” According to the statement, Boeing-made guidance sections “enable the most advanced Patriot interceptors to detect, track, and engage advanced threats, ranging from hostile aircraft to hypersonic, ballistic, and cruise missiles.” Boeing added that, in addition to recent investments to expand its guidance section manufacturing plant, it has worked to “strengthen relationships with suppliers to ensure a more flexible, cost-efficient, and scalable supply chain,” noting that it has “upgraded its facilities with advanced technologies and improved processes and control mechanisms to raise first-time quality rates.” Lockheed Martin announced in January a seven-year framework agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to increase annual production capacity of direct-kill interceptor missiles to 2,000, up from about 600 previously. In July, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth $58.6 billion to boost PAC-3 production, marking the largest deal ever for the missile and the Patriot system. Boeing’s new contract reflects efforts by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to expand production capacity for interceptor missiles and components of air defense systems amid rising military demand for these systems. (End) R.S.R./F.A.S.