Raytheon to produce infrared-guided Mavericks for S. Korea and Taiwan

The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon Company a $77.4 million Foreign Military Sales contract to produce AGM-65D and AGM-65G2 infrared-guided Maverick air-to-surface missiles for Korea and Taiwan.

The AGM-65 Maverick family of precision-attack missiles is used by the air, naval and marine forces of 33 countries. More than 69,000 missiles have been produced to date, and more than 6,000 have been used in combat with a 93 percent kill rate.

"Integrated on more than 25 aircraft, Raytheon's Maverick is an affordable, combat-proven missile with a history of on-cost and on-schedule delivery," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile System's Air Warfare Systems' product line. "Maverick is a best-value solution for the warfighter who needs a direct-attack weapon."

Raytheon will build and provide life-cycle support for more than 250 new missiles. The company began production of the missile's IR guidance and control sections in November 2008.

Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Posted in: Missile,South Korea,Taiwan,USA