AIM-9X Production Begins

First look, first shot is Raytheon's claimed donation to air combat scenarios from its new highly agile AIM-9X, which in conjunction with helmet-mounted sights, elevates third-generation AIM-9M Sidewinders into fifth-generation near beyond visual-range air-to-air missiles.

Commenting on AIM-9X progress, Raytheon senior manager Air-to-Air Programs William West told Show News that following a "highly successful" development program, including 557 air launches, low-rate initial production (LRIP 1) was funded last November for the U.S. forces. Since 1999, AIM-9X has successfully completed 15 of 16 guided launches, and 29 of 31 total launches.

"We're expecting over 10,000 U.S. AIM-9X orders over the next 18 years," says West, "with deliveries from late 2002. Initial operating capability will follow on USAF F-15Cs and Navy/Marine F/A-18C/Ds. But there's also strong interest from U.S. and foreign F-16 operators."

AIM-9X concepts include retention of AIM-9M Mk 36 solid rocket motors, plus WDU-17B warheads and fuzes from U.S. inventory Sidewinders, for which conversions are expected in the first seven years or so of production. Output will then switch to all-new AIM-9Xs, but similar conversion options are available to other Sidewinder operators.

The big rear fins of the AIM-9M are replaced by thrust-vectoring vanes and flight controls for extreme agility. The original seeker head is superseded by Raytheon's fifth-generation high-resolution imaging infra-red staring focal plane array, linked with COTS-based new digital signal processor architecture. Airframe stiffening is needed to cope with the greatly increased g-capabilities, plus a mid-body umbilical and digital interface harness.

"Drag reductions around 15% from the smaller control surfaces contribute towards achieving double-digit range capabilities over the AIM-9M Sidewinder," said West. "Weight is almost identical to the 195-pound AIM-9M,"he added, "and AIM-9X is only about six inches longer from its TVC unit, which allows it to achieve almost square turning performance."

Raytheon charts show virtually 90 degrees off-boresight acquisition/launch capabilities, graphically demonstrated by videos of AIM-9X hits against a level passing QF-4 Phantom drone from a head-on approach. The high-resolution seeker and closed-cycle cryogenic cooling, with lock-on before launch, also contribute to continued tracking against solar, snow or desert environments.