L3Harris Teams Up with Naval Air Warfare Center to Expand Tomahawk Cruise Missile Output

L3Harris Technologies has announced a partnership with the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWC) aimed at scaling up production of Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move that reflects the broader push across the US defence industrial base to raise munitions manufacturing rates.

The collaboration centres on increasing capacity for key components used in the Tomahawk program, the long-standing cruise missile family operated by the US Navy and several allied navies. Industry and government have been working in recent years to expand munitions output as demand from operational users has outpaced production rates across a range of weapon categories, from guided rockets to cruise missiles.

For L3Harris, the arrangement adds to a growing portfolio of munitions-related work. The company, which reports through segments including Space & Mission Systems, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, and Missile Solutions, has positioned missile and energetics production as a growth area within its broader aerospace and defence business.

The Naval Air Warfare Center, part of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), provides research, development, test, evaluation, and engineering support across naval aviation programs. Partnerships between NAWC entities and prime contractors are a common vehicle for accelerating production ramp-ups, drawing on government engineering capacity alongside private-sector manufacturing.

Details of the announcement did not include specific contract values or production targets. Tomahawk production has been a focus of Navy budget requests in recent years, with replenishment and allied foreign military sales both contributing to sustained demand for the weapon system.

In afternoon trading, L3Harris shares changed hands at $252.52, down 1.26% from the prior close of $255.74, giving the company a market capitalisation of roughly $48.8 billion. The stock’s movement on the day was in line with broader trading rather than tied to any disclosed financial detail of the partnership.

The company said the effort is intended to strengthen the supply chain supporting the Tomahawk program and help meet government demand timelines. Further specifics on milestones and output levels are expected to be outlined as the collaboration progresses.

What to watch

• L3Harris’s next quarterly earnings report for updates on munitions segment revenue and production-rate commentary
• Any follow-on contract announcements or award values tied to the Tomahawk supply chain
• Navy budget documents and appropriations language on Tomahawk procurement quantities

Source: original release