AviationNews – Defense manufacturer RTX has unveiled major plans to drastically increase the production of its renowned Tomahawk cruise missiles to more than 1,000 units annually. This strategic move directly addresses the surging demand from the U.S. Navy for advanced, long-range strike weapon systems.
The massive manufacturing expansion stems from a landmark $22.9 billion, multi-year contract awarded by the U.S. Navy to Raytheon, an RTX business. This finalized deal builds upon preliminary framework agreements signed earlier in 2026 and operates under the Pentagon’s initiative to expand critical munitions output. The primary objective is to rapidly replenish depleted military stockpiles and modernize the defense industrial base to meet the immediate needs of both American and allied forces.
The Tomahawk is a highly sophisticated, ship- and submarine-launched cruise missile engineered to precisely strike high-value land targets from hundreds of miles away. By scaling annual output to approximately ten times its recent manufacturing levels, the U.S. Navy substantially bolsters its long-range firepower. This operational enhancement ensures that military commanders maintain a deep, predictable arsenal of precision weapons required to project power and deter modern geopolitical threats.
“We are making significant investments in our workforce, technology, supply chain and facilities to dramatically boost production capacity and meet surging demand,” stated Raytheon President Phil Jasper regarding the historic procurement contract.
Moving forward, this intensive production increase will require a highly synchronized effort involving hundreds of small and mid-sized supply chain partners nationwide. Defense stakeholders and allied nations must continue adapting their procurement strategies to align with these expanded manufacturing capacities and ensure long-term security.
The commitment by RTX to produce over 1,000 Tomahawk missiles each year represents a monumental shift in current defense manufacturing. By scaling operations to such an extent, the aerospace giant fulfills immediate naval requirements while cementing the strategic readiness of global allied forces for years to come.