The Department of Defense announced today a $253.7 million award to Williams International (Williams) via the Defense Production Act (DPA). The award will enable Williams to increase engine production capacity to meet DoD's demand for volume growth of Harpoon, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM), Tomahawk, and other precision strike weapons. This effort supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy's objectives to expand domestic production and ensure resilient supply chains.
"This effort is a key component of the DoD's strategy to accelerate the capacity and fielding of precision strike weapons to deliver cutting-edge capabilities and options to our armed forces," said Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy.
The award utilizes DPA Purchases (DPAP) funding appropriated by the 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act and Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act 2024. The effort will increase the production capacity of critical materials needed to defend against adversarial aggression. By helping to manufacture and support gas turbine engines for military applications, Williams will expand capacity and increase domestic engine production to support the DoD's demand for increased numbers of precision strike weapons and unmanned systems. This facilitization effort is instrumental for both the Air Force and the Navy's engine-reliant weapons and is necessary to enable the rapid replenishment of our Nation's long-range weapons of choice.
"This award represents another significant step in strengthening the domestic capabilities of the defense industrial base by investing in strategic capabilities that will help ensure the U.S. remains a leader in manufacturing technologies," added Mr. Anthony Di Stasio, Director of the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate.
