Raytheon's AIM-9X next-generation Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missile (AAM) has been approved for low-rate initial production (LRIP).
A contract for the first 120 missiles is expected to be signed by November, and the AIM-9X is due to become operational on USAir Force Boeing F-15Cs and US Navy Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets between late 2002 and mid-2003.
Fielding the AIM-9X finally gives US forces a Sidewinder that outperforms Russia's Vympel AA-11 Archer (R-73)short-range missile, which entered service in 1986.
The USA plans to buy 10,000 missiles for the F-15 Eagle, F/A-18, Lockheed Martin F-16 and Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22. Approval for full-rate production of 600 missiles a year is scheduled for late 2002 after completion of operational testing.
International interest in the AIM-9X is strong , says Raytheon, led by European F-16 Mid-Life Update operators. Data has been supplied to Denmark and Norway, with the latter expected to be first to choose between the AIM-9X and the multinational IRIS-T.
Switzerland is evaluating the AIM-9X against the Matra BAe Dynamics ASRAAM and Rafael Python 4 for its Hornets. Canada is looking for short- and medium-range AAMs for its F/A-18s - Australia selected the ASRAAM and Raytheon AIM-120AMRAAM for its F-18s.
Source: Flight International