The US Navy has awarded a $12.8m contract to Raytheon to provide engineering, material and test support for the Joint Multi Effects Warhead System Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD).

The JCTD programme will integrate various warhead technologies onto the navy’s Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile.

The programme will also provide evidence for an enhanced capability to hit hard and large area targets using a two-stage warhead design in a multi-effects system.

The major portion of the work is set to be carried out in Tucson, Arizona, and is expected to be complete in January 2012.

The Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River in Maryland has awarded the contract.