# US firms rush to build cheaper missiles as Iran war drains stocks 2026-08-14T14:56:35+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The US Department of War has signed framework agreements with Boeing and RTX to accelerate production of SM-3 Block IB and Block IIA interceptor components for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. Under Secretary Michael P. Duffey said the deals aim to stabilise supply chains and put the defence industrial base on a 'wartime footing'. Separately, the Iran conflict has exposed thin stockpiles of expensive missiles, pushing contractors to develop cheaper alternatives. At the Space and Missile Defense Symposium, Boeing revealed an ultra-low-cost seeker using commercial parts that cuts seeker cost from 30% to 10% of total missile price. Lockheed Martin unveiled ACE, a simplified Patriot variant costing about $2 million, half the price of the top-end PAC-3. Smaller firms like Castelion and Anduril have also won Pentagon contracts for cheaper interceptors, though most designs are years from deployment. ## Coverage - economictimes.indiatimes.com - timesnownews.com Tags: Boeing, Iran, RTX, Strait of Hormuz, US Department of War, US Navy Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/us-signs-missile-deals-with-boeing-rtx-amid-iran-tensions/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/us-signs-missile-deals-with-boeing-rtx-amid-iran-tensions/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.