Raytheon Missile Systems has been awarded a $28 million contract modification for work on the U.S. Navy's Rolling Airframe Missile, or RAM, system.

The change to the previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract exercises an option for the RAM MK 49 Mod 3 guided missile launching system requirements.

RAM provides anti-ship missile defense on multiple ship platforms.

The system is deployed on more than 165 ships, from attack craft to aircraft carriers, and is utilized by eight countries.

The supersonic, quick-reaction, lightweight fire-and-forget system features autonomous dual-mode passive radio frequency and infrared guidance that allows for the engagement of multiple threats simultaneously.

The MK 49 launch system can hold 21 missiles.

Work on the contract will be performed in Germany, Kentucky, Arizona, Alabama, Oklahoma, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and other U.S. locations, with an expected completion date of September 2018.

Naval Sea Systems Command is the contracting entity.