TUCSON, Arizona, the USA (BulgarianMilitary.com) – Raytheon revealed on Tuesday (16th January 2019) that the company and Kentucky-based Phoenix Products, Inc. (PPI) has signed a U.S. Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé agreement for the production of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) transport containers under a $1.6 million U.S. Navy contract, learned BulgarianMilitary.com

The NSM is a long-range, precision strike missile, which is able to detect and destroy heavily defended land and sea targets at ranges in excess of 100 nautical miles. It was selected by the U.S. Navy last year as its over-the-horizon weapon system and Raytheon was awarded a U.S. Navy contract to manufacture and deliver it for the Navy’s littoral combat ships and future frigates. Raytheon has teamed with Norwegian company Kongsberg to bring the fifth-generation missile stateside.

Read more: The NSM of Raytheon and Kongsberg Gruppen Selected by the US Navy

PPI is a woman-owned, small business that is in a Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone). Raytheon and Oakwood University in Huntsville (Alabama) will support and train Phoenix Products, Inc. in management, technical and quality processes.

Under the mentor-protégé program large businesses are provided with incentives in order to help smaller ones in the development of technical and operating capabilities so that to be more competitive with Department of Defense programs.

Kim Ernzen, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems VP commented, “Raytheon is partnering with small and disadvantaged businesses to help them succeed and contribute to our industry. NSM production is bringing jobs and revenue to a growing network of U.S. suppliers, and it is all the more meaningful when the work makes a significant impact in a local community. It’s a win for everyone.”

Read more: Lithuania to Receive Kongsberg NASAMS

The agreement with PPI, which is for three years, marks progress in Raytheon’s domestic production of the missile designed by the Norwegian defence leader Kongsberg. The experience of Phoenix Products, Inc. in manufacturing similar containers makes the company a perfect fit for the latest production needs of Raytheon.

Tom Wilson, PPI president, said, “The program will enable PPI to take the next steps to be a fully capable aerospace container and ground support equipment manufacturer. It will help ensure we continue to employ highly capable people and train local residents with significant skill sets for now and in the future.”

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Source: Raytheon