Tommy LoganRTX, the world’s largest aerospace and defense company, last week was awarded a $1.15 billion contract by the United States Defense Department for three of its AMRAAM missiles: the AIM-120, D-3, and C-8. The order of the AMRAAM missiles is the largest ever .
RTX is the name of the rebranded Raytheon Technologies. The company is the largest employer in Tucson, supporting more than 12,000 jobs. The AMRAAM work will be performed in Tucson and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2027.
The new look and moniker was rolled out at the recent Paris Air Show. The Raytheon brand name will become one of three business units within RTX. The other two are Collins and Pratt & Whitney, with Raytheon responsible for the vast majority of RTX’s defense work.
The AMRAAM contract is the 5th order under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh initiative, or F3R, a system allowing for dynamic software and hardware updates.
The F3R program uses model-based systems engineering as well as other technology to upgrade circuit cards and other hardware that control missile guidance and make software improvements throughout all three models of AMRAAM missiles. The contract provides missiles to the U.S. Air Force and Navy as well as 18 Allied countries including Ukraine.
“We recognize AMRAAM is the most advanced, combat-proven missile, and we owe it to the warfighters to ensure they have the technology they need when they need it,” Paul Ferraro, president of Air Power for Raytheon, said. “Be it air-to-air or surface-to-air, AMRAAM continues its proud legacy with greater power and precision than ever before with this contract.”
The Arizona Manufacturers Council said it was thrilled by the news that one of Arizona’s leading defense and aerospace firms had landed the deal.
“The aerospace & defense sector is one of the state’s leading job creators, and this contract for RTX just underscores that,” AMC Executive Director Grace Appelbe said. “This is a major feather in the cap for Arizona and Tucson and we congratulate the talented leaders and innovators at RTX for making it happen.”
According to data compiled by Lightcast, Arizona is a top-5 state for aerospace and defense manufacturing and leads the country in guided missile manufacturing.
The Arizona Commerce Authority led a delegation to the Paris Air Show, which included a visit with RTX. Joining ACE President and CEO Sandra Watson were Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry President and CEO Danny Seiden and Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill.
Joseph Kavetsky
Guest Contributor
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