Boeing and Anduril advance to next phase of US Army interceptor competition

Boeing Co. received a $13.4 billion contract modification from the U.S. Department of War, raising the total contract value to $19.1 billion. The contract, originally awarded in 2019, includes Foreign Military Sales work for Japan, Israel, and future partners. Work will be completed in Seattle by April 28, 2035, with no funds allocated at the time of the award.

Boeing and Anduril were selected by the U.S. Army for the next phase of a midrange air-defense interceptor program. Boeing handles seeker tech and airframe, while Anduril develops the rocket motor. The interceptor aims to fill a gap in the Army's air-defense network, with a focus on affordability and modular design for easy upgrades. Anduril is expanding its rocket motor production capacity in Mississippi.

Boeing's F-15 contract with the U.S. Air Force expanded to $39.28B for domestic use, with a $91.95B ceiling for foreign sales, totaling $131.23B. The contract, Eagle Crest, consolidates procurement and modernization. The Air Force plans to buy 267 F-15EX fighters, up from 200, with production starting in 2027. Modernization includes new tech for communications, GPS, and electronic warfare.

The U.S. Space Force added Blue Origin, Boeing, and Umbra as vendors for its space-based air moving target indicator (SB-AMTI) program, with contracts signed June 2. Boeing received $6,666, while Blue Origin and Umbra each received $10,000. The program now includes 12 vendors, with SpaceX securing a $4.16 billion contract earlier. Recent task orders totaling $615 million were awarded to Rocket Lab, STR, and Wildstar. The Space Force aims to demonstrate SB-AMTI capability within two years.

The U.S. State Department approved a potential $5 billion sale of 10,004 Boeing-made JDAM-ER precision-guided bombs to Saudi Arabia, including 5,004 500-lb. and 5,000 2,000-lb. variants, with support services. The JDAM-ER, which extends bomb range by up to 45 miles, was also approved for export to Ukraine in May.

Archer Aviation (ACHR) acquired Boeing's Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid in an all-stock deal, giving Boeing a 16.5% stake. The acquisition aims to diversify Archer's revenue and boost its margin profile, with Insitu generating $200M+ annually. Archer's stock may face dilution but gains a strategic partner in Boeing.