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Raytheon Secures $736 Million Contract with US for AIM-9X Block II Missile Production.
Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, has been awarded an important $736 million contract by the U.S. Navy to produce AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missiles. Announced on October 10, 2024, this new agreement focuses on the advanced Block II version of the AIM-9X, a missile known for its infrared tracking capabilities in short-range air-to-air and surface-to-air applications.
The AIM-9X missile can be used for air-to-air engagements and surface-launch missions without modifications. (Picture source: RTX)
The Block II version of the AIM-9X includes major upgrades aimed at addressing hardware obsolescence, a crucial factor in ensuring the missile’s long-term performance and operational reliability. Barbara Borgonovi, president of the Naval Power division at Raytheon, highlighted the consistent demand for this advanced missile among various global defense forces. She stated, "The AIM-9X remains the weapon of choice for short-range missile defense, both for air-to-air and surface-to-air missions, and the international demand is strong." Raytheon plans to significantly expand its production capacity, with increased orders starting next year.
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is a next-generation missile in the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles. Designed as an aerial interception missile, the AIM-9X features a high off-boresight focal-plane array seeker mounted on a highly maneuverable airframe, significantly enhancing its infrared counter-countermeasures capabilities. Despite its modern features, it retains several elements of the AIM-9M, such as its rocket motor, warhead, and active optical target detector. Nevertheless, its performance far exceeds that of its predecessors, particularly with the introduction of a unique capability for this series: the ability to strike ground targets.
The Block II version of the AIM-9X, the most advanced short-range missile in the U.S. arsenal, is equipped with features that make it essential for air superiority. With a datalink system, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and an advanced infrared guidance system, the AIM-9X can hit targets even located behind the launching aircraft. This capability offers pilots the possibility to fire and strike first, increasing their chances of survival in close aerial combat. In engagements beyond visual range, this missile provides unparalleled offensive and defensive capabilities to counter threats and ensure air superiority. The AIM-9X Block II also aligns with strategic priorities set forth in the Chief of Naval Operations’ directives and the National Defense Strategy, significantly contributing to fighter aircraft lethality and survivability in modern combat scenarios.
From a technical perspective, the AIM-9X relies on an ATK MK-139 solid-propellant rocket motor, measuring nearly three meters in length with a launch weight of 84.37 kg. It has a diameter of 13 centimeters and a wingspan of 45 centimeters. Although the missile’s range and speed remain classified, its guidance capability is based on a solid-state infrared homing system, and its warhead is composed of an annular blast fragmentation, ensuring effective detonation for neutralizing enemy targets. Developed by Raytheon, the AIM-9X Sidewinder embodies the evolution of short-range air-to-air missiles, tailored to meet the contemporary demands of air superiority missions.
This contract includes production efforts that will continue through 2029, with work taking place across several sites in the United States.