Tactical Aim Missiles

Abstract

The AIM-9X (Sidewinder) short-range air-to-air missile is a long term evolution of the AIM-9 series of fielded missiles. The AIM-9X missile program provides a launch and leave, air combat munition that uses passive infrared (IR) energy for acquisition and tracking of enemy aircraft and complements the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Air superiority in the short-range air-to-air missile arena is essential and includes first shot, first kill opportunity against an enemy employing IR countermeasures. The AIM-9X employs several components common with the AIM-9M (fuze, rocket motor and warhead). Anti-Tamper features have been incorporated to protect improvements inherent in this design. AIM-9X is a Post Milestone C, Acquisition Category IC joint service program with Navy lead. The Block II program has completed Independent Operational Testing and found to be Operationally Effective and Suitable. The program achieved USN Initial Operational Capability in March 2015 and received Full Rate Production decision in August 2015. The first Full Rate Production Lot contract was awarded in September 2015. This budget line will continue technical refresh of critical obsolete components, implement cost reduction initiatives, improve insensitive munitions performance, correct deficiencies, and increase capabilities through software enhancements, and conduct testing to ensure platform integration onto threshold US Navy aircraft. This program is funded under OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT because it includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2017
• Source ID: 0207161N_7_1319_PB_2017
• Change Summary Explanation: Decrease in Tactical Aim Missiles by $2.341M as required for the Department of the Navy to comply with the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. Schedule: 1. AIM-9X Block II schedule has been updated to match the format presented in congressional staffer briefs. 2. The System Improvement Program II contract has been extended 9 months to complete software deficiency identified during AIM-9X Block II Operational Test (OT-C1). 3. The System Improvement Program III contract has been extended as a result of extended AIM-9X Block II Operational Test (OT-C1), and allows completion of the hardware redesigns and software rehosting onto tech refresh replacement hardware. 4. Missile software version 9.4 Development Testing (DT-D1) extension to 4th QTR 2017 reflect schedule change as a result of AIM-9X Block II Operational Testing (OT-C1) schedule adjustments for missile software version 9.3. 5. Missile software version 9.4 Integration Testing (IT-D1) start date has been moved to the end of DT-D1 to verify technical requirements and performance thresholds of the performance specification and statement of functionality (SOF) and to verify the AIM-9X Block II missile system is ready for Follow-On Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E, OT-D1). 6. Operation Testing OT-D1 start date has been moved to the end of IT-D1 to share results with DT and minimize program cost. 7. OT-D1 end date has moved in to reflect anticipated release of version 9.4 software to the fleet. 8. Missile software version 10.4 Development Testing (DT-D2) delay to 1st QTR FY2019 reflects schedule change as a result of AIM-9X Block II Operational Testing (OT-C1) and OT-D1, to allow completion of software rehost development onto Lot 19 hardware. Cost: FY17 funding decrease reflects completion of threshold platform software integration requirements with the AIM-9X Block II program. Completion of one-time USN test hardware materials buy in FY16 for the AIM-9X BLK II SIP III program. Technical: The program strategy is to first redesign the control actuation system (CAS) battery, along with the AIM-9X Block II Plus, and incorporate it into the Lot 17 (FY 2017) production missile. Next, the program will complete AIM-9X Block II software improvements (software version 9.4) and release it into Lot 18 (FY 2018) and prior missiles. The software will provide improved infrared counter-countermeasures, correct partial degraded cueing, improved lock on after launch capability, improve small target acquisition, and provide surface attack capability. Finally, the program will redesign the inertial measurement unit, the dome, and the guidance unit processor and incorporate these hardware changes into the Lot 19 (FY 2019) production missile. This last item will include a software re-host onto the weapon system (software version 10.4) to ensure new components do not degrade overall system performance. The guidance unit processor is the critical component to ensure continued production of the missile system and avoid production line gaps after Lot 18.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• 4G Wireless Networks
• Acquisition
• Air Power
• Aircrafts
• Cost Reductions
• Counter Countermeasures
• Countermeasures
• Engineering
• Guidance
• Inertial Measurement Units
• Infrared Counter Countermeasures
• Insensitive Explosives
• Manufacturing
• Munitions
• Navigation
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Missile Defense Systems.