More SM-3 Block 1As Wanted

The Missile Defense Agency needs more Standard Missile-3 Block 1A interceptors.

According to a Federal Business Opportunities notice posted yesterday, Raytheon's missile systems business unit has been awarded a $286 million contract to build 23 additional SM-3 Block 1A missiles. The performance period will last until April 30, 2014, the notice adds.

So far, 81 SM-3 Block 1A interceptors have been delivered, MDA spokesman Rick Lehner told Inside Missile Defense in an email.

The extra 23 missiles are needed because "combatant commands' requirements for SM-3 Block 1A interceptors exceed available assets," according to Lehner.

Yesterday's award increases the system's total contract value from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion, according to the FedBizOpps notice.

Last month, a more-advanced SM-3 Block IB interceptor failed to hit its target in a test off the coast of Hawaii. An agency spokesman told IMD in September that no decisions had yet been made regarding any changes to the test schedule as a result of the failed Sept. 1 intercept attempt.

However, Senate appropriators expect a delay to the SM-3 Block IB acquisition schedule, and aim to tweak the funding line for the system that missed its intended target.

According to the report accompanying the Senate Appropriations Committee's fiscal year 2012 defense-spending bill, "The committee notes that SM-3 missiles are in high demand by combatant commanders around the world, and is concerned that a delay to the SM-3 Block IB's test and acquisition schedule will negatively impact mission capability, shut down the vendor base, and drive up costs of the SM-3 production line." Further, IMD reported:

Consequently, "[n]oting the relative success of the SM-3 Block IB's predecessor, the SM-3 Block IA missile, and its high commonality with the SM-3 Block IB," the panel directs MDA to apply the $565.4 million in the FY-12 budget "requested for the procurement of 46 SM-3 Block IB interceptors to SM-3 Block IA missiles should the test and acquisition schedule for Block IB missiles require any adjustments during fiscal year 2012," the report states. "The committee expects to be fully informed about progress of the SM-3 Block IB missile's test and development schedule and of any changes to its acquisition strategy."