The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) AIM-9X Sidewinder Air-to-Air Missile Integrated Product Team has been selected to receive the Order of Daedalians’ Weapons System Award for 2001.

Capt. Dave Venlet, program manager for Air-to-Air Missile Systems (PMA-259), and Lt. Col. Ken Bailey, AIM-9X program manager, will accept the award at the annual Daedalian Convention in San Antonio, Texas on May 26. Rear Adm. J.B. Godwin, head of Tactical Aircraft Programs (PEO(T)) for NAVAIR, will also attend the award ceremony.

“I am proud of everyone on this team for being recognized with this award and all of their work that has gone into this program for many years,” Godwin said. “The AIM-9X program has returned warfighting superiority to the American fighter pilot.”

The AIM-9X program is a joint effort between the Navy and the Air Force that provides Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps fighter pilots with the technological edge required to dominate air combat in support of national objectives. The team is made up of people from NAVAIR Patuxent River, Md., NAVAIR Weapons Division China Lake, Calif., Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, Warner-Robbins Air Force Base in Georgia and Raytheon Missile Systems in Arizona.

The AIM-9X is a fifth-generation infrared, highly maneuverable missile that incorporates a high off-boresight capability that can be coupled with a helmet-mounted cueing system. A unique aspect of the program is a fully accredited, validated and verified suite of models and simulations, which enable evaluation of missile performance from target acquisition before launch to lethality at the warhead blast.

“This award is an incredible honor for our team,” Bailey said. “The AIM-9X will re-write air-to-air tactics for both the Air Force and the Navy.”

Developmental testing was completed in 2001 and the program is currently preparing to enter operational testing (OT). The rollout of the first production missile will be May 1 in Tucson, Ariz. Deliveries of operational missiles to the field will begin shortly after the rollout. The first operational shot is planned for the Air Force on May 3. After that, the Navy will make its first shot at NAVAIR China Lake. Once OT is complete, a full-rate decision will be made in fiscal 2003.

The Order of Daedalians, a fraternal organization of military pilots, presents this award every year to individuals, groups or organizations that have contributed the most outstanding weapons system development to the aerospace environment.

NAVAIR is the ultimate technology provider, authority, and action resource for naval aviation technologies for the warfighter.

(Call Renee Hatcher at 301-757-5138 for more information about this release.)

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

The AIM-9X is a fifth-generation, highly maneuverable missile that incorporates enhanced countermeasures resistance to meet present and future threats.

(Bottom photo) This F/A-18 is one of the Navy’s F/A-18C/D Hornets that are currently modified to carry the AIM-9X, the newest generation of the Sidewinder missile.