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Raytheon has been awarded a US$1.1 billion (AU$1.65 billion) contract by the United States Navy to significantly increase production of the AIM-9X Block II missile.
The deal, the largest in the history of the AIM-9X program, will lift annual production capacity to 2,500 units, an increase aimed at meeting growing domestic and international demand.
“This award represents a historic milestone for the AIM-9X program, further emphasising its importance to the US and partnered nations,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon. “Through our partnership with the US Navy, we are well-positioned to support this increased demand.”
The AIM-9X Block II is the most advanced variant of the Sidewinder missile family, incorporating cutting-edge infrared tracking and high off-boresight capability for both air-to-air and surface-launched engagements.
Combat-proven across multiple theatres, the AIM-9X Block II is designed for integration across a broad range of modern fighter aircraft, including the F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-22 Raptor, F-15 Eagle and F-35 Lightning II.
Beyond its air-to-air role, the missile is also deployed in surface-to-air configurations through the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), a mobile ground-based air defence system jointly developed by Norway’s Kongsberg and Raytheon.
NASAMS is in service with the United States and numerous allies, including Ukraine, which has used the system in its ongoing defence against Russian aerial attacks.
Originally developed in the late 1990s, the AIM-9X entered service in 2003. The Block II variant, introduced in 2015, added a datalink for beyond-visual-range target engagement and improved lock-on-after-launch capability, dramatically enhancing its lethality in modern combat environments.
The AIM-9X program is jointly managed by the US Navy and US Air Force and currently supports more than 30 allied and partner nations. With rising geopolitical tensions and a renewed emphasis on air combat and integrated air defence, demand for the missile continues to grow.
Australia is among the nations using the AIM-9X, with the missile integrated onto the RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornets and F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. The system is a core element of the Royal Australian Air Force’s short-range air-to-air combat capabilities and is expected to remain in service for decades to come.
