The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced plans to increase the production of its AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles to 2,500 in order to support the US Air Force, Navy, Army, and Foreign Military partners. The DoD will modify its contract with Raytheon, a subsidiary of RTX, to provide additional tools, equipment, and labor to increase production capacity. This decision comes after Raytheon won a $236.7 million modification to manufacture 571 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles with supplementary equipment. The AIM-9X is a multi-purpose missile that can be adapted for air-to-air and surface-attack missions.
Raytheon’s Sidewinder missile is equipped with advanced infrared-tracking and is proven in several theaters around the world. The company supplies the missile to more than 24 countries, including NATO member countries and other US-allied nations. The latest AIM-9X Block II variant has updated electronics, including a lock-on-after-launch capability that supports beyond visual range engagements. The missile can be integrated with a wide range of aircraft models, making it versatile and adaptable.
In other news, pressure is mounting on the US to sustain military aid to Ukraine as donations from European countries decline. This puts the US, as the leader of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, under more pressure to support Ukraine on Nato’s eastern flank. The US recently approved a continuing resolution to fund the government, but it explicitly excludes further military assistance to Ukraine. However, the DoD has already started supplying AIM-9X missiles to Ukraine under a previous contract, and additional Sidewinders may be considered in the future.
