US boosts Tomahawk production under Pentagon contract

The U.S. Department of Defense announced a new contract with defense contractor Raytheon Technologies to expand the production capacity of its AGM‑158 Joint Air-to‑Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) cruise missile family. Valued at roughly $1.2 billion, the agreement calls for an increase in annual output from the current 300 missiles to approximately 500 units over the next three fiscal years, with additional funding earmarked for modernizing the missile’s guidance and propulsion systems. The contract also includes a provision for a limited number of low‑observable variants designed to enhance penetration of advanced air‑defense networks.

The expansion comes amid heightened demand for precision‑strike weapons, driven by ongoing operations in Europe and the Indo‑Pacific region, as well as a broader Pentagon effort to replenish stockpiles strained by recent conflicts. By boosting domestic production, the Department of Defense aims to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers and shorten delivery timelines for allied forces. The agreement is expected to create up to 200 jobs at Raytheon’s facilities in Arizona and Texas, reinforcing the United States’ strategic missile manufacturing base.