Tactical Aim Missiles

Abstract

The AIM-9X Block II/II+ Sidewinder (AIM-9X Blk II/II+) continues the evolution of the AIM-9 series of missiles. This missile program delivers a launch and leave, air combat munition that uses passive Infrared (IR) energy to acquire and track enemy air targets and complements the radar guided Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). F/A-18 first shot, first kill opportunities while conducting basic fighter maneuvering (dogfighting) Within Visual Range (WVR) are essential for aircrew survival. The AIM-9X provides these opportunities with unmatched offensive and defensive capabilities against threats WVR, even when IR countermeasures are employed. The AIM-9X also provides limited short range capability in the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air battle. Anti-tamper features have been incorporated to protect improvements inherent in this design. The AIM-9X Block II missile is critical for completing fighter aircraft loadout in order to enable engagement of threats identified in the National Defense Strategy (NDS) and the Chief of Naval Operations Guidance (CNOG). AIM-9X is a Post Milestone C, Acquisition Category IC (ACAT-IC) joint service program led by the Department of the Navy. The Block II program has completed independent operational testing and found to be operationally effective and operational/suitable. The program achieved Navy Initial Operational Capability (IOC) 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, 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.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2021
Source ID
0207161N_7_1319_PB_2021
Change Summary Explanation
Financial: The program decreased in FY 2021 by $1.087 million due to program adjustments and rate/miscellaneous adjustments. FY 2021 funding in the amount of $2.288 million was realigned to FY 2022 and FY2023 to account for the availability of prior year execution balances. Program adjustments in FY 2021 also include an increase of $0.825 million for Bock II hardware and software follow-on technical refresh efforts, and a $0.275 million realignment from Weapons Procurement, Navy (WPN) to support technical refresh and obsolescence efforts. Schedule: Insensitive Munition improvements will be incorporated with the follow-on AIM-9X technical increment.
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Aircrafts
  • Contracts
  • Cost Reductions
  • Counter Countermeasures
  • Countermeasures
  • Engineering
  • Guidance
  • Inertial Measurement Units
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Munitions
  • Navigation
  • Navy Aircraft
  • Product Development
  • Software Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

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