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 air combat maneuvering 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 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 and the Chief of Naval Operations Guidance. AIM-9X is a Post Milestone C, Acquisition Category 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: 0207161N_7_1319_PB_2022
• Change Summary Explanation: Financial: The program increased in FY 2022 by $17.866 million for Systems Improvement Program (SIP) requirements. $18.100 million was realigned from the Weapons Procurement, Navy budget to support SIP IV hardware and software upgrades that are essential to reduce risk of obsolescence and provide improved capability against advanced threats. Technical: AIM-9X SIP IV efforts will transition from risk reduction activities to hardware design and development of an improved sensor and electronics unit as well as corresponding software updates. The AIM-9X insensitive munitions warhead design effort concluded in 2021. Schedule: The timeline for risk reduction trade studies for SIP IV was reduced to reflect a transition from risk reduction efforts to the formal SIP IV requirement which was funded and commences in FY22. Production delivery start dates were updated to align with the contract delivery requirements; all deliveries are required to be complete by the date shown. The schedule slides associated with the SIP III program (Hardware Obsolescence, Phase 2 ECP, Software v10.4 testing and release) are due to delays in the co-development effort of the Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor. Delay in delivery of production representative ASIC chips to the SIP III program has delayed dependent hardware obsolescence development and software v10.4 development. The insensitive munitions warhead effort concluded and will be briefed to Joint Requirements Oversight Council in May 2021.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Cyber
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Aircrafts
• Application-Specific Integrated Circuits
• Cost Reductions
• Counter Countermeasures
• Countermeasures
• Electronics
• Engineering
• Fighter Aircraft
• Guidance
• Inertial Measurement Units
• Insensitive Explosives
• National Security
• Product Development
• Project Management
• Software Development
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

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