The Department of Defense awarded $253.7 million to Williams International on December 23, 2024, under the Defense Production Act to expand domestic production capacity for gas turbine engines used in precision strike weapons. The award supports engine production for the Harpoon, Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missiles (JASSM), Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM), Tomahawk, and other precision strike weapons serving Air Force and Navy platforms. Funding draws from appropriations made under the 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act 2024.
What it means
The award funds a facilitization effort to increase Williams International’s capacity to manufacture critical materials for military gas turbine engines. The Defense Department said the effort supports the 2024 National Defense Industrial Strategy’s objectives to expand domestic production and ensure resilient supply chains. Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, said the effort “is a key component of the DoD’s strategy to accelerate the capacity and fielding of precision strike weapons to deliver cutting-edge capabilities and options to our armed forces.”
The award is one of five made by the Defense Production Act Purchases (DPAP) office since the start of fiscal year 2025, with the five awards totaling $290.8 million combined. DPAP is administered by the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. Anthony Di Stasio, Director of MCEIP, said the award is “another significant step in strengthening the domestic capabilities of the defense industrial base by investing in strategic capabilities that will help ensure the U.S. remains a leader in manufacturing technologies.”
Key facts
- Award amount: $253.7 million to Williams International
- Authority: Defense Production Act Purchases (DPAP)
- Funding source: 2024 Indo-Pacific Security Supplemental Appropriations Act and Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act 2024
- Weapons supported: Harpoon, JASSM, LRASM, Tomahawk, and other precision strike weapons
- Services supported: U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy engine-reliant weapons and unmanned systems
- Total DPAP awards since start of fiscal year 2025: five awards valued at $290.8 million combined
- Administering office: MCEIP directorate, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience
Source: Department of Defense news release (defense.gov)