Raytheon, an RTX business, secured a $536 million sole-source contract from the U.S. Navy on June 3, 2025, to provide continued integration and test support for the AN/SPY-6(V) family of radars, the Navy’s most advanced maritime defense system. The contract covers training, engineering services, shipboard installation, system integration, and software upgrades to enhance radar performance against air, surface, and ballistic threats. The SPY-6, installed on two Navy ships with three more slated for 2025, supports destroyers, aircraft carriers, and amphibious platforms, with production ongoing at Raytheon’s Andover, Massachusetts, facility. Combined with a $646 million hardware contract awarded on June 9, 2025, Raytheon’s SPY-6 program exceeds $1.18 billion, targeting a $5 billion naval radar market. The work, aligned with tariff-driven reshoring under President Trump’s 25% steel tariffs, sustains 500 jobs and supports Massachusetts’ 60,000-strong manufacturing workforce. President Dave Calhoun noted the contract’s role in “bolstering naval defense and U.S. manufacturing.”

For the precision machining industry, Raytheon’s SPY-6 contract highlights the critical role of tool geometry in radar component manufacturing. Components like antenna mounts and waveguide housings require CNC milling with precise tool geometry—such as end mills with specific rake angles—to achieve tolerances within ±0.0005 inches and surface roughness as low as Ra 4 µin for high-strength alloys. 5-axis milling machines, optimized with tailored tool geometries, ensure efficient material removal in automated production with real-time quality control. The contract’s scope drives demand for local machine shops to supply precision tooling, adopting Industry 4.0 technologies like AI-driven milling and additive manufacturing. As part of a $50 billion precision manufacturing market, this project creates opportunities for suppliers in Massachusetts, where manufacturing jobs grew 2% since 2022, strengthening defense supply chains.

Source:

Raytheon Press Release, June 3, 2025

Source:

RTX

Social Media Buzz (powered by X):

X is abuzz with Raytheon’s $536 million SPY-6 contract, with posts on June 9, 2025, calling it a “major win” for U.S. naval defense. Users praised the 500 sustained jobs, with one noting “Andover’s radar hub thrives,” while another tied it to “tariffs boosting U.S. manufacturing.” The buzz reflects optimism for economic growth and national security.

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#Raytheon #SPY6Radar #ToolGeometry #PrecisionMachining #NavalDefense #Reshoring