Two plants in Northwest Arkansas will continue to build electronic assemblies and other components for the U.S. Navy's Tomahawk cruise missile as part of a $7.3 million contract to Ducommun Inc. from Raytheon Co.
The work will be done at Ducommun plants in Huntsville, Berryville and in Joplin, Mo., through 2016, according to a Thursday release. The Berryville plant employs 190, Huntsville employs 185 and Joplin employs 320.
California-based Ducommun manufactures components and offers engineering services aimed at the aerospace, defense and industrial markets. Massachusetts-based Raytheon is a technology company specializing in defense, security and civil markets.
The Tomahawk missile can be launched from ships or submarines, and can strike heavily defended targets as far as 1,000 miles away.
Shares of Ducommun fell 9 cents to close Thursday at $26.76, on the New York Stock Exchange.