Launchers for Kongsberg's Naval Strike Missile are to be built in the United States by Raytheon.

The initial contract to produce the launchers ushers in U.S. manufacturing of the Norwegian-developed weapon system.

"Building NSM launchers at our Louisville (Kentucky) facility is an excellent extension of our long-standing relationship with Kongsberg," said Dr. Taylor W. Lawrence, Raytheon Missile Systems president. "This contract will enable us to add jobs while providing our Norwegian teammates with world-class launchers."

Kongsberg's NSM has a range of more than 100 nautical miles and is for use against land and sea targets. Raytheon and Kongsberg believe NSM is an ideal solution for use on U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship, on which the missile has been tested.

The award from Kongsberg follows a July announcement that Raytheon will produce NSM launchers in the United States. The company also plans to perform final assembly, integration and test of the Naval Strike Missile at Raytheon's Tucson, Ariz., facility.

"This contract is an important next step in our long-term partnership with Raytheon, and the historic first production contract for NSM in the U.S.," said Harald Annestad, Kongsberg Defense Systems president. "Kongsberg is committed to continuing the evolution of building and supporting NSM in the U.S. for the foreseeable future."