---
title: "US awards $22.9bn Raytheon contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production"
category: "Conflict & Security"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-08-17T19:05:53.098Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-17T18:00:02.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-17T19:05:53.098Z"
trust_score: 86
critic_score: 87
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-17T20:15:10.431907+00:00"
---

# US awards $22.9bn Raytheon contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production

*The seven-year deal aims to increase annual output to over 1,000 units amid reports of depleted stockpiles*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 86 of 100, higher is better. Trust 86 – named officials, Pentagon statement, CSIS analysis, and many independent outlets corroborate the $22.9 bn contract.
- Craft 87 of 100, higher is better. Critic 87 – clear facts, quoted official, specific figures, and explanation of missile shortfall.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15 – language is factual; no sensationalism beyond standard headlines.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The US Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production over seven years.
- Annual production will rise from 60 to over 1,000 units, addressing reported shortages due to the conflict with Iran.
- Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the contract would deliver missiles to warfighters at 'unprecedented speed'.
- CSIS estimated US stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors have been roughly halved since the war with Iran began in February.

The US Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a $22.9 billion contract on 17 August 2026 to accelerate production of Tomahawk cruise missiles. The seven-year agreement aims to increase annual output from about 60 units to more than 1,000. Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao said the contract would 'accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed'.

The contract follows reports of depleted US missile stockpiles due to the conflict with Iran, which began in late February. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD air defence interceptors have been roughly halved since the war started. Tomahawk missiles, launched from submarines and warships, have a range of over 1,600 kilometres.

## Disagreement on contract value

Some outlets reported the contract value as $23 billion, rounding up from $22.9 billion. vijesti.me and Korrespondent.net used the $23 billion figure, while the majority of reports, including those from rthk.hk and the US Navy, cited $22.9 billion.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mentioned the CSIS estimate that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors have been roughly halved since the war with Iran began. Only rthk.hk, a left-rated outlet, included this detail in its full report. None of the centre-rated digests carried the CSIS estimate either.

The cost per Tomahawk missile, cited as about $2.6 million by vijesti.me, was not mentioned in any of the left-rated or centre-rated digests. Only one right-rated digest, Korrespondent.net, included the annual production increase from 60 to over 1,000 units.

> Guaranteeing our naval and joint forces have the lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount.
>
> — Hung Cao, Acting US Navy Secretary

**$22.9bn** — Value of Raytheon contract (Seven-year deal to increase Tomahawk missile production)

## Who covered it

Shares of the 33 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 12% (4)
- Centre: 36% (12)
- Right: 52% (17)

12 of 45 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-17T20:15:10.431907+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-17T20:30:12.201Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The four left-rated digests led on the contract’s connection to depleted missile stockpiles. Business Insider and The Independent noted the US military’s effort to 'replenish shrinking stockpiles' of advanced weapons. rthk.hk, whose full report is printed below, quoted Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao’s statement and included the CSIS estimate that Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks had been 'slashed' by the conflict with Iran. Al-Monitor’s digest also carried Cao’s quote.
- rthk.hk’s report described the contract as a response to 'reports of a shortfall due to the war with Iran' and quoted The Washington Post’s account of President Donald Trump demanding answers from Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth about munitions shortages. The outlet used the phrase 'dwindling missile stocks' to describe the situation.

### Centre

- The eight centre-rated digests focused on the scale of the contract and its role in rebuilding depleted stockpiles. The Jerusalem Post and Military Times described the deal as a 'landmark' or 'dramatic' boost to Tomahawk production. France24 and Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija led with the contract’s announcement amid 'reports of a shortfall due to the war with Iran'. Navy Times and Defense News emphasised the US military’s effort to 'rebuild depleted stocks of high-tech weaponry'.
- Newsweek’s digest quoted Raytheon’s pledge to 'dramatically accelerate' production and described the Tomahawk as the US Navy’s 'most important strike weapon'. None of the centre-rated digests mentioned the CSIS estimate of halved Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks.

### Right

- The eight right-rated digests led on the contract’s value and its role in addressing munitions shortages. Latestly and Tribune India described the deal as a response to 'depleted US munitions stockpiles' due to the conflict with Iran. Le Figaro’s digest framed the contract as part of Washington’s effort to 'rebuild and strengthen its military capabilities' after months of war. Al Bawaba’s digest used the phrase 'America’s stockpiles are at risk' and described the contract as the Pentagon ‘opening its war vaults’.
- La Razón’s digest described the contract as a move to 'strengthen its long-range attack capability', while abc.es framed it as part of the US’s attempts to 'strengthen the US Navy'. Korrespondent.net’s digest was the only right-rated report to mention the increase in annual production, noting the rise from 60 to over 1,000 units. None of the right-rated digests mentioned the CSIS estimate of halved Patriot and THAAD interceptor stocks.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 10
- high: 18
- unknown: 12
- veryHigh: 5

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/08/17/pentagono-assina-contrato-para-acelerar-producao-de-misseis-tomahawk) — Pentagon Signs Contract to "Accelerate" Production of Tomahawk Missiles
- [KPNX](https://12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/raytheon-awarded-22-billion-contract-produce-tomahawk-missiles-tucson-arizona/75-c868d7bb-8330-453c-9c11-2f39355e3951) — Raytheon awarded $22-billion contract to produce Tomahawk missiles
- [The Epoch Times](https://theepochtimes.com/us/pentagon-awards-major-tomahawk-missile-contract-6076020) — Pentagon Awards Major Tomahawk Missile Contract
- [Defence24](https://defence24.pl/przemysl/usa-przyspieszaja-produkcje-tomahawkow-raytheon-otrzyma-kontrakt-wart-229-mld-dolarow) — The U.S. Is Accelerating Tomahawk Production. Raytheon Will Receive a Contract Worth $22.9 Billion.
- [La Razón](https://larazon.es/internacional/pisa-acelerador-tomahawk-22900-millones-disipar-produccion_202608176a834a87a046ad6ebcb6c3d8.html) — The US Steps on the Tomahawk Accelerator: 22.9 Billion to Dissipate Its Production
- [Latestly](https://latestly.com/agency-news/world-news-us-awards-22-9-billion-tomahawk-contract-to-rtx-amid-munitions-stockpile-concerns-over-iran-war-7564520.html) — US Awards $22.9 Billion Tomahawk Contract to RTX Amid Munitions Stockpile Concerns over Iran War
- [Tribune India](https://tribuneindia.com/news/usa-news/us-awards-22-9-billion-tomahawk-contract-to-rtx-amid-munitions-stockpile-concerns-over-iran-war) — US awards $22.9 billion Tomahawk contract to RTX amid munitions stockpile concerns over Iran War - The Tribune
- [Le Figaro](https://lefigaro.fr/international/dans-un-contexte-de-penuries-de-munitions-le-pentagone-signe-un-contrat-pour-accelerer-la-livraison-de-missiles-tomahawk-20260817) — In a Context of Ammunition Shortages, the Pentagon Signs a Contract to "Accelerate" the Delivery of Tomahawk Missiles
- [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/mundo/3037740/eua-aceleram-producao-de-misseis-tomahawk-com-contrato-historico) — USA Accelerate Production of Tomahawk Missiles with Historical Contract
- [Sapo](https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/08/17/eua-investem-198-mil-milhoes-para-aumentar-producao-de-misseis-tomahawk) — US Invests 19.8 Billion to Increase Production of Tomahawk Missiles
- [Al Bawaba](https://albawaba.com/ar/%D8%A3%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1/%D9%85%D8%AE%D8%B2%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D9%85%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%83%D8%A7-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%BA%D9%88%D9%86-%D9%8A%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%AD-1635244) — America's Stockpiles Are at risk... The Pentagon Opens Its War Vaults for Tomahawk Missiles
- [Asharq AL-awsat](https://english.aawsat.com/world/5308098-pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-missile-shortfall) — Pentagon Inks Tomahawk Deal Amid Reports of Missile Shortfall
- [abc](https://abc.es/internacional/pentagono-anuncia-contrato-20000-millones-acelerar-produccion-20260817180557-nt.html) — Pentagon Announces Nearly 20 Billion Contract to Accelerate Tomahawk Missile Production · Global Voices
- [Lietuvos Radijas ir Televizija](https://lrt.lt/naujienos/pasaulyje/6/3024375/pranesimu-apie-raketu-stygiu-fone-pentagonas-pasirase-sutarti-del-tomahawk) — Pentagon Signs Tomahawk Contract Amid Reports of Missile Shortages
- [Gazeta Do Povo](https://gazetadopovo.com.br/mundo/governo-trump-fecha-acordo-bilionario-para-producao-acelerada-de-armas-criticas) — U.S. Closes Agreement for Accelerated Production of Critical Weapons
- [Korrespondent.net](https://korrespondent.net/world/4903676-ssha-pryobretut-rakety-Tomahawk-na-23-mlrd) — US Will Buy US$23 Billion Tomahawk Missiles.
- [Anadolu Ajansı](https://aa.com.tr/en/americas/pentagon-awards-rtx-229-million-tomahawk-contract-to-accelerate-missile-production/4029711) — Pentagon awards RTX $22.9 million Tomahawk contract to accelerate missile production
- [gaceta.es](https://gaceta.es/estados-unidos/la-administracion-trump-pisa-el-acelerador-armamentistico-adjudica-casi-20-000-millones-para-disparar-la-produccion-de-misiles-tomahawk-20260817-1652) — The Trump Administration Steps on the Arms Race: Allocating Nearly $20 Billion to Boost Tomahawk Missile Production
- [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/8/17/n14831665.htm) — The US Is Accelerating the Expansion of Its Weapons Arsenal; Raytheon Wins a Major Contract for Tomahawk Cruise Missiles.
- [vijesti.me](https://vijesti.me/svijet/globus/822465/pentagon-potpisao-ugovor-od-23-milijarde-dolara-za-ubrzanu-proizvodnju-tomahavka) — The Pentagon Signed a $23 Billion Contract for the Accelerated Production of Tomahawks
- [Unknown](https://glavcom.ua/world/world-politics/ssha-narostjat-richne-virobnitstvo-raket-tomahawk-do-ponad-tisjachi-odinits-na-rik-1137166.html) — US to Increase Annual Production of Tomahawk Missiles to More than 1,000 Units per Year
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-905788) — US awards Raytheon $22.9 billion contract to boost Tomahawk output
- [France24](https://france24.com/en/live-news/20260817-pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-of-missile-shortfall) — Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [Free Malaysia Today News](https://freemalaysiatoday.com/category/world/2026/08/17/pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-of-missile-shortfall) — Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [Business Insider](https://businessinsider.com/us-paying-raytheon-big-more-tomahawk-missiles-iran-war-2026-8) — The US military is paying RTX's Raytheon big for more Tomahawk missiles. It burned through many of them fighting Iran.
- [rthk.hk](https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1866502-20260817.htm) — Pentagon inks deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [Unknown](https://nv.ua/ukr/world/countries/tomahawk-ssha-naroshchuyut-virobnictvo-krilatih-raket-pislya-visnazhennya-zapasiv-50633398.html) — US to Increase Tomahawk Missile Production More than 16 Times
- [Military Times](https://militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/08/17/us-awards-raytheon-229-billion-deal-to-boost-tomahawk-output) — US awards Raytheon $22.9 billion deal to boost Tomahawk output
- [Defense News](https://defensenews.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/08/17/us-awards-raytheon-229-billion-deal-to-boost-tomahawk-output) — US awards Raytheon $22.9 billion deal to boost Tomahawk output
- [Navy Times](https://navytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/08/17/us-awards-raytheon-229-billion-deal-to-boost-tomahawk-output) — US awards Raytheon $22.9 billion deal to boost Tomahawk output
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/business/defense/pentagon-inks-nearly-23b-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-of-shortage) — Pentagon inks nearly $23B Tomahawk deal amid reports of shortage
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/raytheon-contract-navy-tomahawk-missile-b3034321.html) — Raytheon awarded $22.9Bn ‘landmark’ contract to boost Tomahawk output for US Navy
- [Globo](https://g1.globo.com/mundo/noticia/2026/08/17/governo-trump-anuncia-producao-acelerada-us-23-bilhoes-misseis-tomahawk.ghtml) — Trump Government Announces US$23 Billion Accelerated Production on New Tomahawk Missiles
- [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/en/middle-east/20260817-pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-of-missile-shortfall) — Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [rtl.lu](https://today.rtl.lu/news/world/pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-of-missile-shortfall-1953310335) — Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [Unknown](https://eurointegration.com.ua/news/2026/08/17/7243639) — US Plans to Dramatically Increase Production of Tomahawk Missiles
- [Newsweek](https://newsweek.com/pentagon-awards-nearly-23bn-for-us-navy-most-important-strike-weapon-tomahawk-missiles-12331225) — Pentagon awards nearly $23bn for US Navy's "most important strike weapon"
- [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/us-awards-raytheon-22-9b-tomahawk-deal-trump-dismisses-weapons-stockpile-concerns) — US awards Raytheon $22.9B Tomahawk deal as Trump dismisses weapons stockpile concerns
- [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/17/raytheon-awarded-229-billion-contract-ramp-production-tomahawk-cruise) — Raytheon awarded $22.9 billion contract to ramp up production of Tomahawk cruise missiles
- [New Hampshire Union Leader](https://unionleader.com/news/business/navy-awards-raytheon-22-9-billion-contract-to-boost-tomahawk-output/article_1f493a96-3959-564e-8445-adfb90fbdca2.html) — Navy awards Raytheon $22.9 billion contract to boost Tomahawk output
- [CNN Brasil](https://cnnbrasil.com.br/internacional/eua-anunciam-producao-acelerada-de-us-23-bilhoes-em-misseis-tomahawk) — US Announces Accelerated Production of $23 Billion in Tomahawk Missiles
- [PR Newswire](https://prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-raytheon-awarded-seven-year-contract-for-tomahawk-cruise-missiles-302852809.html) — RTX's Raytheon awarded seven-year contract for Tomahawk cruise missiles
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/pentagon-inks-tomahawk-deal-amid-reports-missile-shortfall) — Pentagon inks Tomahawk deal amid reports of missile shortfall
- [Defence Blog](https://defence-blog.com/raytheon-to-boost-tomahawk-production-under-new-22-9b-deal) — Raytheon to boost Tomahawk production under new $22.9B deal
- [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/armada-eu-adjudica-raytheon-millonario-contrato-producir-misiles-tomahawk-20260817-828621.html) — US Navy Awards Raytheon a Millionaire Contract to Produce Tomahawk Missiles

## Questions

**How much is the Raytheon contract worth?**

The US Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a $22.9 billion contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production. Some outlets rounded the figure to $23 billion, but the official value is $22.9 billion. The deal spans seven years and aims to increase annual output to over 1,000 units.

**Why is the US increasing Tomahawk missile production?**

The US is increasing Tomahawk missile production to address depleted stockpiles due to the conflict with Iran, which began in February 2026. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors have been roughly halved since the war started.

**Which outlets reported the CSIS estimate of halved missile stocks?**

Only rthk.hk, a left-rated outlet, included the CSIS estimate that US stocks of Patriot and THAAD interceptors have been roughly halved since the war with Iran began. None of the centre-rated or right-rated digests mentioned this detail.

**What did Acting US Navy Secretary Hung Cao say about the contract?**

Hung Cao said the contract would 'accelerate Tomahawk missile delivery to our warfighters at unprecedented speed'. He also stated that guaranteeing naval and joint forces have the 'lethal firepower they need to deter aggression and protect the homeland is paramount'.

---

MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "US awards $22.9bn Raytheon contract to accelerate Tomahawk missile production", https://mediabias.news/conflict/us-awards-229bn-raytheon-contract-to-accelerate-tomahawk-missile-production