Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] has been awarded a contract worth approximately $20 million to provide Harpoon Block II missile retrofit kits for the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

"We're thrilled to provide the world's most successful anti-ship missile to the Australian Defence Force," said John Lockard, senior vice president, Naval Systems, for Boeing. "The Harpoon Block II will definitely expand their ability to meet a wide range of missions, including a great improvement in coastal sea operations."

The Australians will install the Block II retrofit kits at their Orchard Hills facility in Australia. The ADF has used Harpoon Block I missiles since 1982, and it is currently used on surface ships, submarines and aircraft.

The Harpoon Block II kit provides a new guidance control unit flight computer, a new guidance section shell and a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna. When installed, the Harpoon missile will have a more accurate navigation system and can be used for coastal target suppression.

The Block II missile incorporates key guidance technologies from two other Boeing weapons programs -- the low-cost, inertial measuring unit from the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM); and the software, mission computer, integrated GPS/Inertial Navigation System, and GPS antenna and receiver from the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded-Response (SLAMER).