The Pentagon issued a four-month, $441.6-million contract to Raytheon RTX to deliver Patriot GEM-T missiles to the U.S. Army by September 30, in support of Operation Epic Fury - the ongoing conflict with Iran. The assignment to Raytheon is a single expenditure, not part of a budgeted purchase of supplies, and it is to be paid from FY 2026 special funds (not standard defense appropriations) with all the funding to be paid at once.
A similar sense of urgency in defense appropriations was notable in a recent Pentagon purchase of Himars mobile rocket launchers from Lockheed Martin. Published estimates put the total number of Patriot missiles interceptors fired during March and April 2026 at more than 1,200.
Missile systems in particular have drawn the focus of Pentagon planners as they work to replenish stockpiles that have been drawn down due to U.S. supplies to Ukraine during the past four years.
Raytheon manufactures the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 system; Lockheed manufactures the PAC-3. Both are mobile, ground-based systems, and typically the two missile types are deployed in tandem to comprise a layered defense system.
The PAC-2 GEM-T (Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical) is a “terminal-phase” interceptor used to target and destroy long-range incoming ballistic missiles and aircraft. Reportedly it is the most frequently deployed option for the Patriot systems. (The PAC-3 technology is available to target short-range, ballistic threats.)
The announcement of the Raytheon award did not indicate the number of missiles to be delivered. Each missile has a reported at $4 million, indicating the new award will cover the costs for about 110 missiles.
Production will take place at Raytheon’s plant in Chambersburg, Penn., the only location capable of manufacturing the GEM-T missiles.
