Raytheon wins $392M AIM-9X Sidewinder production contract.

Raytheon Missile Systems has won another contract for the production of the AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile. The award is worth $392.4 million and is a modification of an existing contract.

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile which entered service with the US Navy in 1956 and subsequently was adopted by the US Air Force in 1964. Since then the Sidewinder has proved to be an enduring international success, and its latest variants are still standard equipment in most western-aligned Air Forces (Picture source: Raytheon)

This modification exercises options for the production and delivery of tactical missiles (Lot 20 AIM-9X, Block II and Block II plus), captive air training missiles, plus all up round tactical missiles, captive test missiles, special air training missiles, advanced optical target detectors, Block II and II plus guidance units (live battery), captive air training missile guidance units (inert battery), Block I and II propulsion steering sections, electronic units, multiple purpose training missiles, tail caps, maintenance, sectionalization kits, containers and spares for the US Air Force, US Navy and the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Japan, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

Work is expected to be completed in July 2023.

A true tri-use missile, the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile is effective in air-to-air, air-to-surface or surface-to-air applications with no modifications required. It is used on the U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability Program on the multi-mission launcher.

The effectiveness and versatility of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile have been combat proven in several theaters throughout the world. It is actively deployed on U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force aircraft, as well as the air forces of 22 international partner nations.

The current version, the AIM-9X Block II missile, adds a redesigned fuze and a digital ignition safety device that enhances ground handling and in-flight safety. It also features updated electronics that enable significant enhancements, including lock-on-after-launch capability using a new weapon datalink to support beyond visual range engagements.