A US Navy-led joint program with the US Air Force, AIM-9X is used by more than 30 allied and partner nations and continues to gain international interest. Credit: U.S. Marine Corps.

Raytheon, a RTX business, has secured a significant $1.1bn contract from the US Navy to increase the production of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles.

This contract marks the largest award for the AIM-9X programme to date and will ramp up production to 2,500 missiles annually.

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Raytheon Naval Power president Barbara Borgonovi said: “This award represents a historic milestone for the AIM-9X programme, further emphasising its importance to the US and partnered nations.

“Through our partnership with the US Navy, we are well-positioned to support this increased demand.”

The Block II variant of the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile is renowned as the most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile, with a combat-proven track record across multiple global theatres.

Designed for seamless integration on a variety of modern aircraft, the missile ensures a robust layered defence system.

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The AIM-9X missile also offers ground-launched capabilities, notably with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.

It is fitted with solid-state, infrared homing guidance system and annular blast fragmentation warhead. Its power plant comprises ATK MK-139 solid-propellant rocket motor.

This missile system is the result of a joint programme led by the US Navy in collaboration with the US Air Force and has garnered widespread adoption by more than 30 allied and partner nations worldwide.

In October 2024, Raytheon secured a $736m AIM-9X missile production contract from the US Navy.

In a separate development, Raytheon has been awarded a contract worth $536m to supply SPY-6 family of air and missile defence radars to the US Navy.

The radar is currently operational on two US Navy ships, with plans for installation on three more vessels progressing towards testing phases set for 2025.

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