TUCSON, AZ (August 18, 2026) — Tucson-based Raytheon has been awarded a $22.9 billion, seven-year contract from the U.S. Navy to dramatically increase production of Tomahawk cruise missiles, marking an unprecedented award for the RTX business and another major expansion of missile production tied to its Southern Arizona operations.
The contract, awarded as part of the Department of War’s Arsenal of Freedom initiative, is designed to increase annual Tomahawk production to more than 1,000 missiles while providing associated support for the U.S. Navy and allied nations.
Raytheon has already been expanding production capacity for Tomahawk and other missile programs. The company reported that it delivered three times as many Tomahawks in the first half of 2026 as in the same period in 2025. Under the new contract, RTX plans additional investments in facilities, workforce, technology, and its nationwide supply chain, which includes hundreds of small- and midsize suppliers.
“Tomahawk is the Navy's most important strike weapon, able to target hostile forces hundreds of miles away without ever risking the lives of our sailors,” Raytheon President Phil Jasper said. “We are making significant investments in our workforce, technology, supply chain and facilities to dramatically boost production capacity and meet surging demand.”
The Tomahawk is a long-range precision strike cruise missile that has been used by the U.S. military for decades and can be launched from multiple platforms. Raytheon describes the weapon as one of the military’s most proven and versatile long-range strike capabilities.
The Navy said the multiyear agreement is intended not only to increase missile output, but also to provide Raytheon and its suppliers with the stability needed to expand manufacturing capacity, increase workforce levels and strengthen the defense supply chain.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao called the award a landmark investment intended to accelerate delivery of Tomahawk missiles and expand the nation’s munitions industrial base.
The award continues a string of major defense contracts for Raytheon. It comes just days after the Missile Defense Agency awarded the company a $745 million contract involving production of SM-3 Block IIA missile interceptors.
Raytheon maintains significant missile development, engineering, testing and manufacturing operations in Tucson. The company’s Southern Arizona facilities support a broad range of missile and defense programs, including advanced missile systems, interceptors, guidance systems and next-generation weapons technology.
Raytheon is part of Arlington, Virginia-based RTX Corp. (NYSE: RTX), which reported more than $88 billion in sales in 2025 and employs more than 180,000 people worldwide.