Boeing has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to develop the Standard Missile-3 Block IIB (SM-3 IIB). This $41.2 million, 32-month contract is for the concept definition and planning phase of the project.

SM-3 IIB is a key component of the Department of Defense's Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense in Europe. It will provide capability against emerging longer-range ballistic missile threats.

MDA has awarded multiple contracts for this phase of the SM-3 IIB project. The agency will select a single company in 2013 to proceed with full development and flight testing. Deployment is scheduled for the 2020 time frame.

"The SM-3 IIB team at Boeing is looking forward to partnering with MDA and the U.S. Navy in the development of this advanced missile defense program," said Greg Hyslop, vice president of Strategic Missile and Defense Systems (SM and DS) for Boeing.

"We are committed to drawing on the best of Boeing to provide this capability, which will be a critical component of this country's response to future potential threats."

Boeing's SM and DS and Phantom Works organizations are working jointly to apply SM and DS' proven missile defense development and production experience and Phantom Works' technological innovation to the SM-3 IIB project.

This combination of Boeing capabilities and weapon production experience will deliver an affordable solution that meets the requirements of this important national defense program.

"For the past several years, Boeing's advanced interceptor technology group has been developing the next generation of missile technologies," said Alex Lopez, vice president, Boeing Phantom Works Advanced Network and Space Systems.

"We can now apply these new and innovative technologies toward this first phase of SM-3 IIB in order to address mission objectives."

Boeing is the largest aerospace company in Alabama and one of the state's largest employers. Current company operations in Huntsville include the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program and other missile defense work, such as the Arrow system and the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 seeker, as well as work associated with Ares I, the International Space Station, Army Integrated Logistics, Brigade Combat Team Modernization, and engineering for the 787 and the P-8A Poseidon.