Raytheon pushes back on lost Navy ship defense contract

Raytheon has filed a protest after losing a $637.6 million Navy contract to Lockheed Martin to support a ship self-defense system.

Lockheed's Rotary and Mission Systems group won the contract in August.

The contract provides the Naval Sea Systems Command with engineering support for the Ship Self Defense System, known as SSDS. Work includes systems and software engineering support, development of engineering products to support combat systems integration, configuration control, developmental test and operational test support, training and logistics, and field support.

SSDS systems are used against anti-ship cruise missile attaches for aircraft carriers and large deck amphibious ships. The systems integrate standalone defensive systems and automate quick responses to multiple targets, according to solicitation documents.

The contract runs through December 2028.

Raytheon filed its protest Sept. 4 and a decision from GAO is expected by Dec. 13.