NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – The Navy’s Air-to-Air Missile Systems Program Office (PMA-259) reached a Milestone C decision June 24 for the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missile, thus authorizing the system to enter low rate initial production.

PMA-259’s industry partner, Raytheon, will begin production of more than 5,000 operational AIM-9X Block II rounds for U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force warfighters over the life of the program.

“This milestone allows us to provide U.S. and allied fighter pilots upgraded missiles which are needed to dominate air combat in an increasingly challenging threat environment,” said Capt. John Martins, PMA-259 program manager.

The AIM-9X Block II program corrects obsolescence issues and provides performance upgrades to the highly successful, fifth generation infrared-guided air-to-air-missile, AIM-9X Block I program. Obsolescence changes include updates for the guidance unit electronic circuit card assemblies, battery, and the active optical target detector (Fuze). The Block II has ability to operate with impunity against modern threat radar counter measures such as Digital RF Memory Jammers, Towed Decoys, and Stealth airframes.

Performance upgrades to Block II variant include the addition of advanced capabilities to maintain warfighter advantage in the visual arena and meet requirements for beyond visual range employment. These technical improvements focus on seeker performance, infrared counter-countermeasures, kinematics, and lock-on after launch supported by a data-link.

“The AIM-9 is one of the oldest and most successful missiles in the U.S. weapons inventory, Martins added. “The Sidewinder continues to be the most widely used air-to-air missile and is currently employed by more than 40 nations throughout the world.”

To date, more than 4,500 AIM-9X Block I missiles and 175 AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles and test rounds have been fielded.