The U.S. Air Force awarded Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems a $170 million contract to produce AGM-65D and AGM-65G2 infrared-guided Maverick air-to-surface missiles for the United Arab Emirates, under the Foreign Military Sales program.
The AGM-65D is an all-weather, heat-seeking missile with a shaped-charge warhead to focus its explosive power on armored targets. The AGM-65G2 features a heavier penetrator warhead for fortified targets.
The infrared-guided Maverick is ideal to counter "high-speed maneuvering sea targets such as swarming boats," Harry Schulte, vice president of Missile Systems’ air warfare systems product line, said in prepared remarks.
Raytheon said it will provide ongoing support for more than 500 new missiles. The company began production of the missile’s infrared guidance and control sections in November 2008.
The Maverick series of 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 success rate, Raytheon said.
Maverick production supports more than 250 jobs in Tucson; Goleta, Calif.; and Farmington, N.M.
