TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Navy
cleared Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) to begin full-rate production
on the AIM-9X® Sidewinder Block II infrared air-to-air missile. The
program completed operational test and evaluation earlier this year
and Raytheon is now approved to produce missiles at full factory
capacity.
"We've proven the increased capabilities of the AIM-9X Block II,
and are confident Raytheon can produce missiles at full rate," said
U.S. Navy Program Manager Captain Jim
Stoneman, PMA-259. "We look forward to getting them into the
hands of our warfighters as quickly as possible."
The U.S. Navy and Air Force, along with several international
partners who have purchased the AIM-9X Block II, are receiving
Sidewinder deliveries.
"An updated electronics package gives the missile features
significant enhancements, like the ability to lock on after launch
using a new datalink that supports beyond-visual-range
engagements," said Mike Jarrett,
Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "Sidewinder remains
the warfighter's weapon of choice for short-range air-to-air
missiles."
About AIM-9X
- AIM-9X is a U.S. Navy-led, joint Navy and Air Force program,
with program offices in Patuxent River,
Md., and Tucson, Ariz.
- Raytheon has produced AIM-9X missiles for more than 14
years.
- AIM-9X entered operational service in 2003; international
deliveries began in 2005.
- Block II development began in 2011 and completed operational
test and evaluation in early 2015.
- The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability of Block
II in March 2015.
- Block II will be the baseline effector for the U.S. Army
Indirect Fires Protection Capability Increment 2, Block 1 making
AIM-9X a true dual use missile, effective in either air-to-air or
surface-to-air applications with no modifications required to the
missile.
- AIM-9X currently has 18 international customers, nine original
Block I customers followed by nine new and five repeat Block II
customers.
- AIM-9X reliability for the currently fielded system has reached
three and one half times the required mean time between
failures.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees
worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in
defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets
throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93
years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission
systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing;
effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence
systems, as well as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission
support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham,
Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit www.raytheon.com and
follow us on Twitter @raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley
Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company