US DoD selects Raytheon for AIM-9X system improvement
An F-16 Fighting Falcon during a successful AIM-9X Sidewinder test. (Photo: US Air Force)
The US DoD has contracted Raytheon to provide support and development work for its air-to-air missile, AIM-9X.
Raytheon has been awarded a contract modification worth $37 million to procure Operation Flight Software Version 9.5 and additional support.
The stipulated support includes hardware and software risk reduction efforts in support of the AIM-9X system improvement programme for the Navy and Air Force.
Work will be performed in Arizona and California, and the contract is expected to be completed in December 2023.
Fiscal 2022 research, development, test and evaluation funds worth $1.5 million from the Air Force and Navy will be obligated at the time of the award.
Recently, in September 2020, Raytheon was contracted to provide support for the development of Operational Flight Software 10.15, which is required for the production of AIM-9X Block II missiles, by the Naval Air Systems command.
AIM-9X Block II is being produced for the USAF, USN and various FMS customers such as Canada, other NATO allies and nations in Asia and the Middle East.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range AAM that entered US military service in 1956, with variants and upgrades remaining active to the present day.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal]()
Ukraine and Sweden mark first major step towards potential Gripen E export deal
The letter of intent, signed on 22 October, is the first move in a “long road” towards Sweden strengthening the Ukrainian Air Force with up to 150 Gripen aircraft.
-
![Shield AI unveils new autonomous VTOL fighter jet concept]()
Shield AI unveils new autonomous VTOL fighter jet concept
Named X-Bat, the AI-controlled vertical take-off and landing drone is expected to enter production by 2029, with first flight tests estimated to take place a year earlier.
-
![How satcom is shaping the future of fast, accurate warfare (podcast)]()
How satcom is shaping the future of fast, accurate warfare (podcast)
"Speed is the key advantage and accuracy is the key outcome": Amazon Kuiper Government Solutions’ Rick Freeman talks to Shephard’s Georgia Lewis about how space-as-a-service is transforming defence connectivity and access to satellite capabilities.
-
![US Army order for CH-47F Block II aircraft takes total contracted to 18 in rapid fielding effort]()
US Army order for CH-47F Block II aircraft takes total contracted to 18 in rapid fielding effort
Boeing has delivered six Chinook CH-47F Block II production helicopters to the US Army, with the helicopters now undergoing a series of evaluations to demonstrate their enhanced capabilities. The company is working with the army on a path forward for Lot 6.
