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). The missile provides fighter aircrew with the first shot, first kill opportunities that are essential for survival during air combat maneuvering in the visual arena. The AIM-9X delivers these opportunities with unmatched offensive and defensive capabilities against threats Within Visual Range (WVR), even when IR countermeasures are employed. The AIM-9X also supports air superiority 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 provides the Joint Force with fighter aircraft lethality and survivability necessary to counter threats identified in the Chief of Naval Operations Guidance and the National Defense Strategy. 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 was found to be operationally effective and suitable. The program achieved Navy Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in March 2015 and received Full Rate Production decision in August 2015. In December 2017, the program began to procure a third variant of the missile labeled the AIM-9X Block II PLUS (Block II+) to satisfy the requirements of the Joint Strike Fighter platform. For contracting purposes, the nomenclature of the AIM-9X Block II missile is identified as AIM-9X-2 or AIM-9X-4 and the AIM-9X Block II+ missile is identified as AIM-9X-3 or AIM-9X-5. The AIM-9X-4/5 variant are the Systems Improvement Program (SIP) III configuration with upgraded hardware for obsolescence that cut into Lot 21. This budget line item continues technical refresh of hardware and software and develops advanced capabilities to meet requirements of the Capability Production Document against evolving threat aircraft countermeasures. 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, 2023
• Source ID: 0207161N_7_1319_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: Financial: FY 2023 funding request of $29.236 million includes a reduction in the amount of $0.378 million to account for prior year carryover. Technical: N/A Schedule: N/A --- FY 2023 funding increase reflects the fact that the FY 2022 President’s Budget request did not include out-year funding.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Air Platforms
• Cyber
• Sensors
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Power
• Aircrafts
• Contracts
• Costs
• Engineering
• Fighter Aircraft
• Insensitive Explosives
• Munitions
• National Security
• Naval Operations
• Obsolescence
• Product Development
• Program Management
• Project Management
• Software Development
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation

Readers

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