Tactical AIM Missiles

Mission — Tactical Aim Missiles source

The AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder (AIM-9X Blk 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 inner boundary threats, 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 in March 2015 and received Full Rate Production decision in August 2015. 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.

Mission — AIM-9X source

The AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder (AIM-9X Blk II) delivers a launch and leave, air combat munition that uses passive Infrared energy to acquire and track enemy air targets that employ advanced infrared countermeasures and is a critical component of fighter aircraft loadout required by the Chief of Naval Operations Guidance and the National Defense Strategy. This line item continues technical refresh of hardware and software and develops advanced capabilities to maintain threshold requirements. Primarily, the program will develop new hardware and software solutions to pace evolutions in threat aircraft countermeasure technology and redesign, develop, and integrate components facing obsolescence. Additionally, the program will investigate energetics improvements, enhanced anti-tamper and cyber security, and future platform integration. The program will deliver increased capability to the warfighter by incrementally fielding missile software updates to optimize hardware and incorporate capabilities based on updated intelligence of threat countermeasures. In FY2026, the program will execute engineering, manufacturing, and development for the phase 4 of the System Improvement Program (SIP) hardware and software effort. Specifically, Operational Flight Software (OFS) 10.5X and SIP IV Hardware development efforts will complete. Development of OFS 11.5X will continue and OFS 11.6X will begin. The SIP IV hardware design and development of the advanced sensor and electronics unit will transition to qualification after completion of the Critical Design Review. In addition, the program will assess integration on 5th generation+ systems.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (3)