Raytheon to deliver additional 571 AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to Navy.

According to a PR published by RTX on June 20, 2023, the firm has been granted a $264 million modification contract for the production of AIM-9X missiles for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and foreign military sales customers.
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AIM-9X SIDEWINDER air-to-air missile. (Picture source: US Navy)

The contract amendment, an extension of a previously awarded Lot 23 contract from December 2022, will enable Raytheon, an RTX business, to manufacture and supply 571 AIM-9X® SIDEWINDER™ missiles and their associated components.

As part of the modification agreement, Raytheon will additionally furnish captive air training systems, containers, spare assets, and related kits and support equipment. The majority of the work will take place within the continental United States, with completion anticipated by August 2026.

The AIM-9X SIDEWINDER missile, developed through a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Navy and involving the U.S. Air Force, boasts 31 partner nations engaged in Foreign Military Sales.

 About the missile

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is an air-to-air missile. It was developed by the contractors Raytheon and Loral Martin. This missile is powered by a Hercules and Bermite Mk 36 Mod 11 power plant.

It measures 9 feet, 5 inches (2.87 meters) in length, and has a diameter of 5 inches (0.13 meters). The missile has a finspan of 2 feet, 3/4 inches (0.63 meters).

The warhead type used is an annular blast fragmentation warhead. The Sidewinder has a launch weight of 190 pounds (85.5 kilograms). Its guidance system operates on a solid-state, infrared homing system.