Anduril unveils Steelfin interceptor as cheaper option to PAC-3 missiles
Anduril executives said the system can be “reconfigured” to be tailored toward defeating both low cost and exquisite systems.
Anduril executives said the system can be “reconfigured” to be tailored toward defeating both low cost and exquisite systems.
The award was issued as an undefinitized contract by PAC-3 prime contractor Lockheed Martin.
The contract is undefinitized, meaning dollar values and quantities could change as negotiations continue.
“We're evaluating a set of [courses of action] right now, which include a mix of domestic and international sourcing for end units, where they're going to be located, how we're going to build it, [and] which variant,” Michael Cadenazzi, the assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy, told Breaking Defense.
The award is the "largest contract in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control history," according to a company executive.
“Countries now supplying weapons systems to Ukraine will be able to replace them faster,” according to the Swiss announcement.
The Army's Unfunded Priorities List features, for instance, an additional $581 million for small drones and counter-unmanned aerial systems, as both are “changing faster than our budget can react," according to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
“There's plenty of work to go around, around the globe, so we're looking for those strategic partnerships to help us complete our mission,” said Lockheed executive Jason Reynolds.
“We structured both the GMLRS contract, and the PAC-3 contract to be able to convert them from one-year contracts [into] multi years. We didn't want to delay awarding the PAC-3, for example,” said Doug Bush.
In 2019 the US State Department approved the sale of 60 PAC-3 MSE and 36 Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T) missiles with canisters to Bahrain in a deal worth an estimated $2.5 billion.
The Office of Management and Budget has notified Congress this week with its FY24 budget request amendments.
With the war in Ukraine raging, missile and other munition production seems like a sure bet. But the Pentagon knows industry is wary of getting burned should attitudes change and is trying to offer novel reassurances.