AIM-9X fired from MML
Raytheon and the US Army have successfully test fired an AIM-9X Block II missile from the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-I (IFPC 2-I) Block 1 ground-based Multi-Mission Launcher (MML), the company announced on 26 August.
The AIM-9X missile is typically fired from an aircraft against aerial targets, but this successful demonstration showed that the Block II version can be used in ground-based air defence without any modification.
During the demonstration, the missile locked onto an unmanned aerial system (UAS) flying at an altitude of 1,500m above ground level, which it then intercepted and destroyed.
The test validated the design and operation of the prototype IFPC 2-I MML and demonstrated the surface launch performance of the missile against a UAS target.
Mike Jarrett, vice president, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems, said: ‘This is another example of how Raytheon is leveraging its proven portfolio of products to fulfil gaps in other mission areas, such as ground-based air defence. AIM-9X can perform well against fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial systems or cruise missiles and retain the ‘first look, first shot, first kill’ reputation – in the air and from the ground.’
The AIM-9X missile has been in service since 2003, with the Block II missile completing its operational test and evaluation in early 2015. In March, the US Navy declared initial operational capability with the Block II.
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