The Raytheon Company has been awarded a contract by the Naval Sea Systems Command and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Seasparrow project office for the company's MK 57 and MK 29 NATO Seasparrow missile systems.

Under the contract, with a maximum value of $21.5 million, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) will develop the launcher systems, components and provide support that will enable critical self-defense capabilities for U.S. and allied Navy surface ships.

The MK 57 NSSMS is the primary self-defense weapons system installed on naval aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. As the prime contractor and mission systems integrator for the MK 57 NSSMS, IDS will provide the hardware and processing required for launch and control of the missiles.

The upgraded MK 57 NSSMS integrates commercial off-the-shelf hardware for processing and displays as well as microprocessors for signal processing. It also integrates new solid-state transmitter technology to create an open system that is compatible with the Navy Standard Command and Control integrated ship defense suite, formerly known as IDS' Ship Self Defense System Mk 2, while providing the enhancements needed to enable the full use of the capabilities of the new Evolved Seasparrow Missile.