AIM-9X Sidewinder

Fifth Generation High Off-boresight, Thrust-Vectored Air-to-Air Missile

AIM-9X Sidewinder provides first-shot/first-kill

Benefits AIM-9X Sidewinder requirement for evolutionary design with robust performance.
The AIM-9X is the newest improvements to the AIM-9 The digital design architecture
g Low cost of development and member of the AIM-9 series missile through of the AIM-9X provides
ownership Sidewinder short-range missile revolutionary advancements. growth capability to ensure
g Superior performance exceeds family in use by more than 40 This extends the operational air superiority in the future.
tactical requirement nations around the world. This effectiveness of existing
next-generation Sidewinder inventories at an affordable AIM-9X Development AIM-9X
g In production and in the missile passed operational cost while continuing the is a joint U.S. Navy and U.S. Air
fleet now evaluation in November 2003 evolution of the AIM-9 series. Force program with the Navy
g Selected by numerous coalition
and was approved for full-rate designated as the Executive
air forces production in May 2004. AIM-9X provides the warfighter Service. Several nations have
with the following capabilities: already selected AIM-9X as
Enhanced Capability full day/night employment, their next short-range missile,
The AIM-9X acquisition plan resistance to countermeasures, and potential exists for
addresses the urgent warfighting extremely high off-boresight procurement by numerous
requirement for the develop- acquisition and launch envelopes, other coalition nations. The
ment and deployment of a greatly enhanced maneuverability first AIM-9X air launch was
next-generation Sidewinder to and improved target acquisition accomplished in March 1999.
replace the AIM-9M. AIM-9X ranges. The AIM-9X airframe This milestone was the first in a
is a launch-and-leave air combat coupled with other advanced series of separation and control
missile that uses passive infrared features gives fighter pilots a test vehicle and guided launches.
(IR) energy for acquisition and significant tactical advantage in From 1999 to 2001, the AIM-9X
tracking. The AIM-9X can be the dogfight arena. The AIM-9X program launched 19 separation
employed in both near beyond uses an extremely agile thrust and control test vehicles and
visual range and within visual vector controlled airframe. 18 guided launches from U.S.
range arenas. Complemented Configured with a mature and Navy F/A-18 and U.S. Air Force
by the Advanced Medium-Range high-performance staring focal F-15 aircraft. Of the 18 guided
Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), plane array (FPA) sensor and firings, 14 resulted in direct
the AIM-9X equipped warfighter existing AIM-9M components hits against QF-4 unmanned
has offensive firepower that is (rocket motor, warhead and drones. The AIM-9X engineering
unmatched by any other weapon fuze), AIM-9X evolutionary and manufacturing development
systems in the world. The design is a low-cost, low-risk, (E&MD) phase completed the
AIM-9X program addresses the all-up-round evolutionary development of the missile
AIM-9X Sidewinder

AIM-9X
Unprecedented . . . Fifth Generation . . . Smarter

tactical system design and a missile that retains the essence AIM-9X Sidewinder Specifications
established the weapons system of Sidewinder heritage, while Weight: 118 lb 85 kg
interface with the F-15C and employing a fifth-generation seeker
Length: 119 in 3m
F/A-18C/D aircraft and the and thrust vectoring control for
joint helmet-mounted cueing unprecedented performance. The Diameter: 5 in 12.7 cm
system. U.S. government Raytheon team’s experience in Fin Span: 17.5 in 44.45 cm
development and operational advanced IR technologies, Wing Span: 13.9 in 35.31 cm
testing plans include extensive weapons systems integration and
captive carry reliability testing affordable missile production
and free-flight guided launches. provides an AIM-9X that ensures enabling technologies that seeker and Raytheon’s extensive
In addition to the F/A-18C/D air superiority for the 21st century. include staring FPAs, adaptive commitment to advanced
and the F-15C, AIM-9X will be compensation techniques, and fifth-generation IR technologies
integrated on the Navy F/A-18E/F Unprecedented advanced IR signal processing is a low-cost, low-risk AIM-9X
and the Air Force F-15E, F-16, Superior Performance Exceeds permit a low risk E&MD phase. development. Raytheon’s
the Joint Strike Fighter, and the Tactical Requirement The Raytheon AIM-9X team is a advanced, mature IR FPA sensor
F-22 during Follow-on Test and • Greatly enhanced acquisition world leader in advanced digital and innovative guidance and
Evaluation. AIM-9X is fully ranges in blue sky and clutter aircraft weapons integration. control design combined with
compatible with the LAU-12X • IR countermeasures resistance This weapon system design reuse of existing components
series and the LAU-7 launchers. to meet the threats of today experience includes the presents an AIM-9X that is
and tomorrow AMRAAM; the AMRAAM/ affordable and lethal. Features
The Threat • Extremely high off-boresight AIM-9X compatible digital such as a cryoengine and an
For more than 40 years, U.S. capability gives the pilot the launcher; the F-14D, F/A-18E/F extended warranty significantly
and coalition fighter pilots have first-shot first-kill opportunity and F-15 advanced radars; reduce the cost of ownership
enjoyed air superiority in • Highly agile airframe and the F-22 weapon system. while increasing the AIM-9X
short-range engagements. Now, • Inherent growth potential Raytheon understands the tactical utility and availability.
however, current threat missiles, digital combat environment Raytheon’s integrated product
aircraft and environments may Fifth Generation and the critical weapon system team culture and lean
eclipse this advantage ... demanding Leadership in Advanced IR Missiles parameters necessary to fight manufacturing techniques are
a new fifth generation Sidewinder and Weapon Systems Integration and win in the pre- and combined with acquisition
Missile — the AIM-9X. Brings the Warfighter Unprecedented post-merge arena. reform initiatives to produce an
Technology Today — AIM-9X affordable, low-risk, and highly
AIM-9X – The Answer Raytheon’s commitment and Smarter reliable AIM-9X design.
In modern short-range air-to-air acknowledged leadership in Revolutionary Ideas Through
combat, first-shot/first-kill advanced IR missile design Evolutionary Development
capability is necessary to ensure enabled a low-risk, low-cost The critical path of any missile
victory in today’s high technology development phase that ensures development is through the
battlefield. Coalition fighter pilots air superiority for the U.S. and seeker. The payoff from
Raytheon Company
will enter the fight with AIM-9X, coalition warfighter. Mature leveraging an in-production Missile Systems
Air-to-Air
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Tucson, Arizona
85734-1337 USA
520.794.1572 phone
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