Raytheon awarded an initial contract to Malaysian-based Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn. Bhd. for the production and supply of components for the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).

This is the first contract of its type awarded to a Malaysian company and is aligned with U.S. and Malaysian strategic initiatives as well as the Malaysian Economic Transformation Program.

"Raytheon is a global company with strategic partnerships worldwide," said Rick Nelson, vice president of Naval Weapon Systems for Raytheon Missile Systems. "We welcome Contraves to the ESSM global supply chain and look forward to expanding our relationship on ESSM and other programs."

Raytheon recently qualified Contraves Advanced Devices Sdn. Bhd. as a participant in the Strategic Enterprise Aligned Commodities provider program and as a Raytheon preferred supplier.

The SEAC program is designed to focus Raytheon's global supply chain base on a more limited number of companies and qualifies Contraves as a provider for the majority of Raytheon production programs.

Raytheon has proposed ESSM to Malaysia for its upcoming Second Generation Patrol Vessel program for the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Selection of ESSM for the SGPV program would significantly enhance the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy and provide for interoperability with the U.S. Navy and with the Australian, Japanese and Canadian navies in the Pacific theatre.

"Through this partnership with Contraves, we are extending our global supply chain network and enhancing our presence and expertise in Malaysia," said Kevin Peppe, vice president of Seapower Capability Systems for Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems business.

"Our shared commitment to quality and performance will allow us to deliver exceptional capabilities to our customer and industry, now and into the future."

Raytheon has also issued requests for quotation to Malaysian industry for additional components for the ESSM, the MK56 ESSM vertical launching system, MK73 illuminator, and test equipment in support of the Malaysian SGPV program as well as other international production programs.