Media Advisory

What: AIM-9X Press Conference

When: Wednesday, April 7, 2004, 2:00pm

Where: Sea-Air-Space Symposium, at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC

Availability: Media is invited at attend an AIM-9X briefing given by NAVAIR PMA259 Program Manager Capt Scott Stewart, USN. Q&A will follow. Location of briefing: conference room within the Raytheon Exhibit.

Background: No longer a development program, AIM-9X is a reality that will change the rules of Air Combat forever. The Sidewinder a joint program led by the U.S. Navy and has recently declared Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy. The system design approach incorporates a fifth-generation staring focal plane array (FPA) seeker for robust guidance performance, and Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) resistance and jet vane control for extremely agile turning performance.

AIM-9X has undergone an extensive and highly successful flight test program that has been complemented by a sophisticated and accredited modeling and simulation capability. The program scored an unprecedented 18 successes in 19-guided flights during development testing and completed 22 Operation Evaluation (OPEVAL) firings. The missile has also proven to be highly reliable in 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 a Milestone III decision.

Contact: Please contact Denise Deon, PEO-T Public Affairs Officer, at 301-481-6263 for more information.

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