A $36.7 million contract for Rolling Airframe Missiles and Guided Missile Launching Systems has been awarded to Raytheon Missile Systems, the Defense Department announced.

The missile system was ordered by the U.S. Navy and the Japanese military, under the Foreign Military Sales program. Japan will underwrite the cost of nine percent of the contract, which was announced on Friday.

The missile is a small, infrared homing surface-to-air missile in use since the 1980s and used primarily as a weapon against anti-ship cruise missiles. It was jointly developed by the U.S. and German governments.

The missile is named for its ability to roll on its longitudinal axis to stabilize its flight path. The six-ton Guided Missile Launcher unit can store 21 missiles.

The missile is in use aboard Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers, Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, Wasp-class amphibious assault ships and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, as well as on dock landing ships and littoral combat ships.

The contract calls for procurement of parts, assembly, testing and delivery of RAM Mk 49 Mod 3 GMLS units, with a completion date of June 2021. Work will be done largely in Raytheon facilities in Tucson, Ariz., Ottobrun, Germany, and Louisville, Ky.

The Naval Sea Systems Command in Washington, D.C., is the contracting agent.

Germany approved for $122M guided missile purchase through U.S., NATO
Washington (UPI) Jul 1, 2019 - The U.S. State Department has approved the possible $122 million sale of 91 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles and up to eight Captive Air Training Missiles to Germany.

The purchase is through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency acting as Germany's agent, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced Friday when it notified Congress of the possible sale.

The systems are designated as AGM-88E.

The contract includes up to six telemetry/flight termination systems, flight data recorders, U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, miscellaneous support equipment, and other related elements of logistical and program support.

DSCA said the proposed sale "will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a NATO ally, which is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe. It is vital to the U.S. national interests that Germany develops and maintains a strong and ready self-defense capability."

The proposed sale will not alter the basic military balance in the region, DSCA said.

The AGM-88E AARGM is an upgrade to the older generation AGM-88B High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile, which Germany first purchased in 1988. The new units will be manufactured using new components and older sections from Germany's existing stock of AGM-88Bs.

The principal U.S. contractor will be Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems, formerly known as Orbital ATK. Northrop purchased the company in 2018. In 2015, Orbital ATK Inc. was formed from the merger of Orbital Sciences Corporation and parts of Alliant Techsystems.

AARGM is a supersonic, medium-range, air-launched tactical missile. It is compatible with all variants of the F/A-18, Tornado, EA-18G, F-16, EA-6B and F-35.

Aside from the U.S. Navy and Marines, the Italian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force have purchased the systems.

The AARGM provides the United States and allies "the latest and most advanced weapons system to engage and destroy enemy air defenses and time-critical mobile targets," according to Northrop Grumman.

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