{
  "id": 11320217,
  "title": "US announces $24.4-billion contract to speed up missile production",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/us-announces-24-4-billion-contract-to-speed-up-missile-production",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T00:02:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/world/americas/us-announces-244-billion-contract-to-speed-up-missile-production-1.500695509"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Pentagon has announced a $24.4-billion contract with Raytheon to expedite the production of SM-6 missiles, as Washington seeks to replace the significant number of munitions used during the conflict with Iran. This five-year agreement includes two additional option years, aiming to accelerate production and provide the defense industry with long-term predictability for workforce expansion and securing critical supply chains. The Pentagon emphasizes that this deal will enable the removal of bottlenecks in the industrial base, ensuring the rapid delivery of a crucial weapon for anti-air and anti-surface warfare. Raytheon, in response, confirmed that the SM-6 has been successfully fired from various US Navy ship-based platforms and land-based launchers, declaring it a combat-proven weapon. The weapons manufacturer also acknowledged the need to meet the growing demand by continuously investing in their operations and facilities. Iran has maintained control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz for over seven months following the initial US and Israeli attacks, while Washington maintains a blockade on Iran's ports. President Trump has reportedly stated his intention to resume bombing Iran by late November, potentially leading to further Iranian strikes and increased expenditure of American munitions.",
  "summary": "US announces $24.4 bn contract to speed up missile production",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "US Announces $24.4 Billion Contract To Speed Up Missile Production",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/us-announces-24-4-billion-contract-to-speed-up-missile-production",
        "published": "2026-10-01T23:31:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "US announces US$24.4bil contract to speed up missile production",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/us-announces-us-24-4bil-contract-to-speed-up-missile-production",
        "published": "2026-10-02T00:09:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}