Article Posted on : - Oct 26, 2011

AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided missile.

INDIANAPOLIS (BNS): The US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Raytheon Company a contract valued up to $83 million to produce LAU-116B/A missile launchers.

The contract includes a $7.3 million firm-fixed-price delivery order for production through December 2013 and includes two one-year options, according to a news release by Raytheon.

"These missile launchers are an important part of America's military arsenal," RTSC Customized Engineering and Depot Support Vice President Wayne Lurillo, was quoted as saying in the news release.

The launchers are used on Navy F/A-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft.

They provide the structural and electrical interfaces that enable the aircraft to carry and launch missiles such as the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the AIM-7 Sparrow and the AIM-9X Sidewinder.

The launchers will be built at the Raytheon Technical Services Company LLC (RTSC) facility in Indianapolis.