Raytheon Missile Systems has been awarded a $9 million U.S. Navy contract modification to exercise fiscal 2016 options for Standard Missile-6 production and spares requirements.

The option stems from an earlier contract, the cumulative value of which stood at $573.2 million after a $270 million option was exercised in February of this year.

The latest work, funded through the Missile Defense Agency, will be undertaken in Arizona and Alabama, with an expected completion date of March 2019.

The SM-6 utilizes the airframe and propulsion elements of the legacy Standard Missile but incorporates the guidance control and advance signal processing of the Advance Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, according to Raytheon.

The missile is used on cruisers and destroyers, offering defense against fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, drones, land-attack anti-ship cruise missiles in flight and terminal ballistic missiles.

Harris continues support services for missile defense systems
Melbourne, Fla. (UPI) May 26, 2016 -U.S. missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance programs will continue to receive support and sustainment services from the Harris Corporation.

The work, which comes through the U.S. Air Force's exercise of contracts options, is worth a total of $106 million.

The services that will be provided to six ground-based weapons systems at 12 locations includes depot-level maintenance, repairs and upgrades, contractor logistics support and more -- to ensure the weapon systems are continually available and capable.

Additional details were not disclosed.

The Air Force in 2002 awarded Harris a five-year contract for support services in 2002. It provided for as many as 13 earned extensions. The new extension exercised is the 10th under the original contract.