Raytheon AIM-9X Air-to-Air Missile

The AIM-9x is an infrared short range air-to-air missile primarily developed for the US Air Force and the US Navy. The AIM-9X is currently in service with over 40 countries across the world.

Design Features of AIM-9X Sidewinder

The AIM-9X incorporates an agile thrust vector controlled airframe. It uses a high-performance staring focal plane array sensor and integrates components such as rocket motor, warhead and fuse of AIM-9M. The digital design architecture of the missile can adapt enhancements for future requirements.

The missile has a length of 3m, diameter of 12.7cm, a fin span of 44.4cm and a wing span of 35.3cm. It weighs approximately 85kg. It can carry a 9.36kg annular blast fragmentation warhead to a range of more than ten miles.

The AIM-9X can be integrated with wide range of aircraft including F/A-18C/D, F-15C, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F-16, and F-22 aircraft. The missile can be launched by the LAU-7 and LAU-12X series launchers.

AIM-9X Sidewinder Development

The AIM-9X was developed under a joint US Navy and UASF programme. The AIM-9X acquisition programme is focused on fulfilling the urgent requirements of aircraft and troops by providing a next-generation Sidewinder to replace the AIM-9M missile.

The first AIM-9X missile was successfully launched in March 1999. Between 1999-2000 13 separation and control test launches and 12 guided launches were made from the US Navy's F/A-18 and USAF F-15 aircraft.

The first low-rate initial production contract for AIM-9X was awarded in November 2000. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was accomplished in November 2003 and full-rate production was approved in May 2004.

The AIM-9X Block II completed its first test firing in November 2008. Also known as AIM-9X-2, the missile is an upgraded variant with a lock-on-after-launch feature. The AIM-9X Block II is also equipped with redesigned fuse and a unidirectional forward-quarter data-link.

Guidance and Navigation

The missile has a length of 3m, a diameter of 12.7cm, a fin span of 44.4cm and a wing span of 35.3cm. The infrared (IR) homing guidance section performs the tracking and guidance functions. The AIM-9X is a system-guided missile employing a mid-wave IR FPA seeker. The seeker, equipped with High Off-Boresight (HOBS), can be used with a helmet-mounted sight for wider attack envelope. It uses passive infrared (IR) energy for target acquisition and tracking. After the launch, the seeker follows the heat signature from the engines of the hostile aircraft. The IR homing ensures the launch of the missile during day/night and in electronic countermeasure (ECM) environment. The missile can engage targets in the near beyond visual range (NBVR) and within visual range (WVR) areas.

Propulsion

The propulsion for the AIM-9X is provided by Mk 36 rocket motor integrating a thrust vector control package. The solid propulsion motor uses a reduced-smoke hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant. The cylindrical grain form and integrated control actuation system enhance the range and manoeuvrability of the missile.

AIM-9X Orders and Deliveries

In March 2012, Raytheon received a $97m modification contract for the Lot 12 low rate initial production of 19 and 120 AIM-9X Block II missiles for South Korea and Saudi Arabia respectively.

As of September 2012, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman and Poland also made requests for the acquisition of AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Block II missiles.

In December 2004, Raytheon received a $158m contract from US Naval Air Systems Command for the production of 443 all-up-round AIM-9X missiles, 153 AIM-9X training missiles and associated equipment.