Media Advisory

What: AIM-9X Initial Operating Capability (IOC) Declared
When: Thursday, November 13, 2003
Where: 12th & 19th Fighter Squadrons of the 3rd Wing, 11th Air Force, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska

Availability: Media is invited at attend the AIM-9X IOC Ceremony at Elmendorf AFB on November 13, 2003. In lieu of on site participation, NAVAIR and Raytheon Program Managers will be available for telephone interviews as needed.

Details: NAVAIR is pleased to announce the declaration of its newest weapon in Air Dominance, the AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile, having reached Initial Operational Capability (IOC). The Sidewinder Program a joint program led by the U.S. Navy. The 12th and 19th Fighter Squadrons of the 3rd Wing, 11th Air Force, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska are the first operational units to field this capability. The AIM-9X Operational Requirements Document (ORD) defines that IOC is met when a unit is trained and equipped with adequate missiles for each of it’s primary aircraft assigned, and all appropriate support equipment, spares and publications have been successfully delivered. (Note: the USAF refers to the term IOC as Required Assets Available (RAA)).

No longer a development program, AIM-9X is a reality that will change the rules of air combat forever. AIM-9X’s system design approach incorporates a fifth-generation staring focal plane array (FPA) seeker for robust guidance performance, and Infrared Counter Measure (IRCM) resistance and jet vane control for extremely agile turning performance.

AIM-9X has undergone extensive developmental and operational test programs that have been complemented by a sophisticated and accredited modeling and simulation capability. The program scored an unprecedented 18 successes in 19-guided missile firings during Development Testing (DT) and completed 22 Operation Evaluation (OPEVAL) firings. The missile has also undergone more than 3,500 hours of rigorous captive flight-testing.

AIM-9X is a U.S. Department of Defense flagship program for modeling simulation, saving more than $50 million in development costs. The program is currently awaiting the results of their OPEVAL completed in August 2003. The program is expecting the OPEVAL report to be released in early December 2003.

Contacts:

PEO-T
Public Affairs Officer
Denise Deon
301-481-6263

Elmendorf AFB, AK
Chief, 3rd Wing Public Affairs
Capt Johnny Rea
907-552-8153

Raytheon Missile Systems
Barbara Starr
Media Relations
(520) 794-8580