TUCSON, Ariz., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range,
air-to-air missile, under development by Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTNA, RTNB),
has been approved by the Department of Defense for low rate initial production
(LRIP). This key decision was formalized Sept. 22 when Dr. Jacques S.
Gansler, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and
Logistics, signed the AIM-9X LRIP Acquisition Decision Memorandum.
Performance, reliability, price projections and manufacturing processes
were the key criteria for this decision. Raytheon currently is executing the
engineering and manufacturing development (E&MD) phase contract and expects to
be under contract for LRIP production next month.
"This missile is sorely needed by today's strike fighters," said Rear Adm.
James B. "Gib" Godwin, Program Executive Officer - Tactical Aircraft Programs.
"The AIM-9X team met or exceeded every criteria for production approval."
The first production buy will be for 143 missiles. The initial aircraft to
deploy the missile will be the F-15C and the F/A-18C/D. The Department of
Defense plans to procure 10,097 missiles (5097 for the Air Force, 5000 for the
Navy) during an 18-year production run.
"We are absolutely pleased with this decision, and we are committed to the
on-time delivery of this urgently needed combat capability," said Louise
Francesconi, general manager of Raytheon's Missile Systems business unit.
AIM-9X is being developed to provide offensive and defensive air
superiority for U.S. and allied forces. The missile is the next generation of
the combat-proven Sidewinder series missiles that have provided dogfight
superiority for over 45 years. It incorporates a high off-boresight staring
focal plane array seeker as well as thrust vector control for extreme agility
in all aerial combat environments. The Navy and Air Force will integrate and
deploy AIM-9X on the F/A-18E/F, F-16 and F-22. Additionally, consistent with
the Air Expeditionary Force structure, the Air National Guard and Air Force
reserve will operate with AIM-9X.
The AIM-9X flight test program has launched 13 separation and control test
vehicles and 10 guided shots in the last 18 months. This aggressive flight
test effort was designed to further prove the capabilities of the missile
airframe as well as guidance system maturity. The missile's reliability has
been proven in extensive captive carry testing. The E&MD phase will continue
through the end of 2002 culminating in the final operational test phase
(OT-IIB) and a milestone review for full rate production approval.
"The AIM-9X's performance changes the rules of the dogfight," said Capt.
David J. Venlet, the Navy Program Manager for Air to Air Missiles. "Already,
in dissimilar air combat tests, our pilots equipped with AIM-9X are
consistently winning. When coupled with the joint helmet mounted cueing
system, the first-look, first-kill capability is unbeatable.
"This performance also has generated a strong interest in AIM-9X among
coalition partners. Upon request, we have provided performance briefings and
pricing information to allied countries that operate the F-16 and F/A-18.
Interoperability makes good warfighting sense since we will fight side-by-side
with our allies."
Raytheon Company, based in Lexington, Mass., is a global technology leader
that provides products and services in the areas of commercial and defense
electronics, and business and special mission aircraft. Raytheon has
operations throughout the United States and serves customers in more than 70
countries.
Note to Editors:
Missile Systems is a unit of the Raytheon Company's Electronic Systems
business, which is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif. ES was established at
the beginning of 2000 to bring together capabilities in radar and electro-
optics for space, airborne and ground applications; expertise in naval systems
and integration; and, leadership in the development and production of
missiles. In addition to Missile Systems, ES comprises five other business
units: Air Combat and Strike Systems; Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems;
Tactical Systems; Naval & Maritime Integrated Systems; and, Air and Missile
Defense Systems.
Contact:
Colleen Niccum
520.794.8565
SOURCE Raytheon Company
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Related links:
http://www.raytheon.com
CONTACT:
Colleen Niccum of Raytheon Company,
520-794-8565
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