Raytheon said its SM-6 missiles have been successfully fired from US Navy ships and land-based launchers, calling them combat-proven weapons. (Raytheon pic)

WASHINGTON: The Pentagon on Thursday announced the award of a US$24.4 billion contract for Raytheon to accelerate production of SM-6 missiles as Washington works to replace the large amount of munitions expended during the Iran war.

The missiles are "critical anti-air and anti-surface warfare munition. This five-year agreement, with two additional option years, will drive faster production," the Pentagon said in a statement.

The deal "provides the defence industry with the long-term predictability needed to expand workforce capacity and secure critical supply chains," the Pentagon added.