TUCSON, Ariz., July 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Swiss Air Force recently
announced the selection of Raytheon Company's AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile to be
the next-generation short-range missile for its the F/A-18 fighter aircraft. A
Swiss project team made this competitive selection after careful evaluation of
both the IRIS-T and the AIM-9X missiles. The value of this decision is more
than $30 million. It marks the second international sale of AIM-9X and the
first by an F/A-18 Hornet user.
"I'm extremely pleased that the Swiss Air Force selected AIM-9X," said
Navy Capt. Dave Venlet, the Naval Air Systems Command Program Manager for Air-
to-Air Missile Systems. "Equipping the Swiss Air Force with this superior
missile will ensure their air combat dominance and enhance interoperability."
Ten potential international customers have expressed interest in the AIM-
9X, and other nations have made official inquiries to the U. S. government
about possible procurement to fill their future short-range missile
requirements. South Korea was the first international AIM-9X customer signing
a letter of offer and acceptance with the U.S. government in June. Raytheon
delivered its first production AIM-9X missile to the U.S. government on May 1,
four months ahead of schedule. That delivery marked the beginning of an 18-
year production plan to provide revolutionary dogfight capability to the U.S.
and allied warfighters. Raytheon expects to produce more than 10,000 missiles
to be split between the Navy and Air Force and more than 5,000 for
international customers.
"This is a prime example of Raytheon's continued tradition of providing
high performance, affordable air superiority weapons to the U.S. and its
allies," said Charles D. Anderson, vice president of Raytheon Missile System
air-to-air product line. "We are determined to win competitions by listening
to our customers, responding to their requirements and delivering on our
commitments."
The AIM-9X is a joint Navy and Air Force program currently in engineering
and manufacturing development. It is the newest member of the AIM-9 Sidewinder
short range missile family which is currently in use by more than 40 nations
worldwide.
With headquarters in Lexington, Mass., Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) is a
global technology leader in defense, government and commercial electronics,
and business aircraft.
Contact:
Sara Hammond
520.794.7810
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Sara Hammond of Raytheon Company,
+1-520-794-7810
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