Pentagon unveils $22.9 billion push to ramp up Tomahawk production

The Pentagon said on August 17 that it had awarded Raytheon, an RTX business, a $22.9 billion U.S. Navy contract aimed at rapidly expanding production of Tomahawk cruise missiles.

The contract is intended to increase the U.S. military’s stockpile of the long-range strike weapon while providing RTX with greater stability to expand its workforce, increase manufacturing capacity and strengthen its supply chain, the Department of Defence said in a statement.

“The Department called upon industry to expand munitions production, and RTX has answered that call,” said Michael P. Duffey, the under secretary of defence for acquisition and sustainment.

“This Tomahawk award increases our ability to equip the Joint Force, ensuring our Warfighters never face a fair fight.”

The award comes as the Defence Department seeks to accelerate deliveries of critical weapons and shorten the time required to procure them.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao described the agreement as a major investment in the Navy’s long-range strike capabilities.

“Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount,” Cao said. “This landmark $22.9 billion investment will accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed.”

Cao said the Navy was working with industry to expand the capacity of the U.S. munitions industrial base and meet the demands of current operations.

By Tamilla Hasanova