The U.S. Navy announced plans to contract directly with Boeing to update support software for its Harpoon missiles.
This initiative is part of the CMBRE program and aims to maintain the weapon’s operational capability for new combat requirements following the completion of Harpoon Block II testing.
The core of the modernization lies in the systems responsible for testing, configuring and reprogramming guided munitions, which are considered essential for the operation and preparation of the missile before a mission. According to the Navy, Boeing was selected because it was the only company with access to the technical data and capabilities to perform the updates on time.
Although the process is being conducted as a private contract, the U.S. government said other companies can also submit proposals. However, the final decision on whether to initiate competitive bidding is entirely under the control of military authorities.
This update follows a successful testing campaign for the Harpoon Block II update, which included three separate evaluations. The tests validated the missile’s performance in a variety of scenarios, including attacks against moving maritime and land targets, strengthening its expanding role on the modern battlefield.
source: Defence Blog | picture: X @BoeingDefense | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team
