The U.S. Navy has awarded RTX subsidiary Raytheon a $74 million contract to expand its arsenal of Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Launching Systems, in what is described as the largest single procurement for the system in more than two decades.
This contract will support not only the manufacture of new launcher systems but also the refurbishment of older units, supply of critical hardware upgrades, and stockpiling of spare components—all designed to ensure continuous protection against evolving anti-ship missile threats. The systems will play a pivotal role in safeguarding high-value naval assets in contested environments.
The bulk of the production will take place in Louisville, Kentucky, with the final deliveries expected by 2028.
The RAM is a high-speed, precision-guided interceptor missile designed to automatically track and destroy incoming threats using passive radio frequency sensors and infrared homing technology. Weighing in with a 10-kg warhead, it offers both stealth and lethality with a range of up to 9 km, and is engineered to be a fire-and-forget weapon, freeing operators to focus on other battlefield priorities.
RAM systems are currently deployed aboard U.S. Navy’s advanced warships, including the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, San Antonio-class amphibious ships, and littoral combat vessels, where they provide rapid-response defense in high-threat scenarios.
Earlier this year, Raytheon delivered its 250th RAM MK49 launcher, which is slated for integration into the USS Pittsburgh. This accomplishment highlights the continued importance of the RAM program, which is the result of a 50-year partnership between the United States and Germany—a milestone to be formally marked in 2026.
