Marine Corps will add the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) to its arsenal via a $47.59 million Other Transaction Authority agreement with Raytheon Company.
Marine Corps Systems Command officials said the NSM initiative supports the 2018 National Defense Strategy and Commandant of the Marine Corps modernization efforts.
“This fifth-generation missile adds another dimension for sea control operations and for protection from adversary warships,” Kim Ernzen, vice president of Raytheon Air Warfare Systems, said.
The NSM, which is known for its sea-skimming capability, can fly at very low altitudes over water and land, possessing the ability to detect and destroy heavily defended land and sea targets at long distances.
Last year the Navy awarded Raytheon a contract to manufacture and deliver NSM as the Navy’s over-the-horizon weapon system for littoral combat ships and future frigates, per officials, who added the Marine Corps’ selection of the Navy’s anti-ship missile enhances joint interoperability and reduces costs and logistical burdens.
NSM is the latest product produced in partnership with Norway and its defense leader Kongsberg, noting a mobile, land-based NSM is deployed with Poland’s coastal defense forces.
Raytheon Company, a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions, totaled sales of $27 billion last year and employs 67,000.