Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

The world's best dogfight missile for the world's best fighter pilots.

The AIM-9X Next Generation Sidewinder is the latest member of the AIM-9 short range missile family currently in use by more than 40 nations throughout the world. The AIM-9X is currently in the engineering and manufacturing development (E&MD) phase and is approximately one year from production.

The Naval Air Systems Command awarded a winner-take-all contract for the E&MD phase of the AIM-9X program in December 1996.

The AIM-9X acquisition plan addresses the urgent warfighting requirement for the development and deployment of a next generation Sidewinder to replace the AIM-9M. AIM-9X is a short-range, launch and leave, air combat missile that uses passive infrared (IR) energy for acquisition and tracking, and compliments the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). The AIM-9X program addresses the requirement for evolutionary improvements to the AIM-9 series. This extends the operational effectiveness of existing inventories at an affordable cost, while continuing the evolution of the AIM-9 series.

The agile AIM-9X airframe, coupled with other AIM-9X advanced features will give fighter pilots a significant tactical advantage in the dog fight area. AIM-9X provides:
  • Full day and night capability
  • Resistance to countermeasures
  • Increased off-boresight acquisition and launch capability
  • Increased maneuverability
  • Improved target acquisition over the current inventory AIM-9M

The AIM-9X E&MD phase completes the development of the missile tactical system design, and establishes the weapons system interface with the F-15C and F/A-18C/D aircraft and the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). AIM-9X will be integrated on the Navy F/A-18E/F and the Air Force F-15E, F-16 and F-22 aircraft during Follow-on Test and Evaluation.

AIM-9X is a joint U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force program with the Navy designated as the Executive Service. The Air Force plans to buy 5,080 and the Navy 5,000 AIM-9X missiles over a planned 17-year production run. Significant potential exists for procurement by Allied nations.

The first AIM-9X air launch was successfully accomplished in March 1999. This major milestone was the first in a series of separation and control test vehicle launches. The AIM-9X successfully completed its first guided launch from a U.S. Navy F/A-18D aircraft, intercepting a QF-4 target drone in June 1999.

Weight: 188 lb. Length: 119 in. Diameter: 5 in. 





Jennifer L. Spears
520-794-5211 telephone
jlspears@west.raytheon.com
Home