The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) gained Portugal as its 29th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X International Partner, after Portugal announced it signed and accepted the AIM-9X Block II Missile Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) on Sept. 28.

The signed LOA allows PMA-259 to procure 18 AIM-9X Block II missiles on behalf of the Portuguese Air Force to complement Portugal’s F-16 fleet. This procurement will be part of the United States Navy’s Lot 23 Production Contract, which will lead to missile delivery in 2026.

The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) changed command with Capt. Christopher B. DeBons relieving Capt. Errol A. Campbell Jr. in a ceremony on Aug. 8.

Rear Adm. Shane Gahagan, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs, served as the guest speaker highlighting the extensive list of program accomplishments under Campbell’s command and leadership qualities Campbell encompasses.

The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) acquired Italy as its 28^th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X International Partner Dec. 17, 2021.

The Italian Embassy in Washington D.C. notified the Navy International Programs Office that the Italian Air Force accepted and signed the Letter of Offer & Acceptance (LOA) provided by the United States Government.

The Air-to-Air Missiles program office (PMA-259) has accepted delivery of the 10,000^th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X Sidewinder for the U.S. Air Force on May 27.

As a joint program with the U.S. Air Force, the Navy-led AIM-9X Block II missile is the most advanced short-range air-to-air missile in the world. The AIM-9X Block II+ missile is one of multiple variants that make up the fifth-generation Infra-red AIM-9X weapon system family.

The Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) joint program office completed the second live fire test of the new AIM‑120D-3 missile variant, incorporating upgraded hardware into the guidance section on May 12. 

The weapon safely launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet and flew the expected flight path over the Point Mugu Sea Test Range in California. Preliminary analysis provided by the prime contractor, Raytheon Missiles & Defense, indicates all primary and secondary objectives of the shot were met.

The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) International Programs team has reached a first-time Foreign Military Sales (FMS) portfolio value of $3 Billion for 34 countries and two NATO member countries.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), an existing international partner, finalized an agreement with the U.S. this March to procure the F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft and requested additional AIM-9X Block II+ missiles for external carriage on the JSF.

The Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office (PMA-259) International Programs team accepted the 2020 Department of the Navy Acquisition Excellence Award for International Acquisition Partnership on Nov. 5 during a virtual ceremony hosted by Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, James Geurts.

The team was recognized for its continuous accountability and supervision of 103 Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases valued at $2.6 billion for 34 countries and two NATO organizations.