The Missile Defense Agency is asking Congress for permission to negotiate a five-year contract for Aegis ballistic missile defense interceptors, a potential $1.9 billion deal with Raytheon for Standard Missile-3 Block IB guided missiles beginning in fiscal year 2019 the agency estimates would cost $306 million less than if procured annually. MDA's FY-19 budget request seeks authority to enter into a multiyear contract to buy 204 SM-3 Block IBs between FY-19 and FY-23, a move that comes weeks after the...