Pentagon Awards Raytheon $24.4 Billion Contract to Speed Up Standard-6 Missile Production

The US Department of War (Pentagon) announced, according to a Mehr News Agency report dated October 2, 2026, that the US Navy has awarded a $24.4 billion contract to defense contractor Raytheon to accelerate production of the Standard-6 air-defense missile. The report, citing Al Mayadeen, did not disclose further details on delivery timelines or the missiles' intended regional use. The contract was announced as the US separately disclosed plans to increase its naval presence in the Middle East.