Raytheon has begun the process of qualifying more European suppliers for its AMRAAM missile system, the company stated. The development was reported by Defense Daily on July 8, 2026.
The announcement regarding the supply chain expansion for the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile program stands as the primary update from the defense contractor. No further details were provided regarding the specific companies involved, the timeline for qualification, or the volume of components to be sourced from Europe.
While this specific news focuses on Raytheon’s supply chain adjustments, broader legislative activity in Washington is occurring simultaneously. The House of Representatives is preparing to leave for the Fourth of July recess without passing its fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act. A procedural vote intended to move the $1.15 trillion bill forward failed, halting progress on the legislation.
In other legislative developments, a bipartisan group of six House members introduced the Strategic Unmanned Systems Partnership Act. The proposed legislation aims to enhance drone collaboration between the United States and Ukraine. Rep. Michael McCaul, a Republican from Texas, is among the sponsors of the bill.
Additionally, House appropriators have expressed serious concern over delays in the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 program. The fiscal year 2027 defense spending bill includes provisions to shift funds to support the Marine Corps’ effort to establish a second supplier for the vehicle.
Regarding space-based systems, nearly all of the Department of the Air Force’s fiscal 2027 procurement and research and development budget for the Space-Based Air Moving Target Indication (SB-AMTI) and the Space Data Network Backbone is under review.