TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 10,
2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully test-fired three AIM-9X®
Block I missiles from an F-35A aircraft at airborne targets,
resulting in direct hits. The weapon is the first short-range,
air-to-air missile to be used on the F-35.
"These tests validated the on-board communications and handoffs
between the aircraft and the missile required to prosecute an
aerial target," said Mark Justus,
AIM-9X program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "AIM-9X will
help ensure our pilots and allies have the most reliable and
effective weapons on the F-35. We look forward to the remaining
flight test and integration work, leading to fielding of the AIM-9X
on the most advanced fighter aircraft."
The series of guided live fire tests proved the end-to-end
system capability of AIM-9X on the F-35, including:
- Loading
- In-flight carriage
- Target acquisition by the aircraft, passing a target cue to the
missile on the rail
- Missile target acquisition and track
- Launch initiation
- Safe separation
- In-flight guidance
- Impact/proximity fuzing at target intercept.
The F-35 can carry two AIM-9X missiles on its wings and four
AIM-120s internally when configured for an air dominance mission.
These test firings advances integration of the AIM-9X, with
introduction across the F-35 fleet expected in 2017. Complementary
Raytheon weapons (AMRAAM and AIM-9X) ensure allied pilots flying
the newest fighter aircraft have the most reliable, effective and
lethal arsenal to assure victory in combat.
The fourth guided test in the series is expected to take place
later this year.
About AIM-9X
- AIM-9X is a U.S. Navy-led, joint Navy and U.S. Air Force
program, with program offices in Patuxent
River, Md., and Tucson,
Ariz.
- Raytheon has been producing AIM-9X missiles for more than 14
years.
- AIM-9X entered operational service in 2003; international
deliveries began in 2005.
- AIM-9X Block II, which adds a datalink capability, successfully
completed operational testing and began full rate production in
2015.
- The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability with the
Block II in March, 2015.
- The Block II will also be the baseline effector for the U.S.
Army Indirect Fires Protection Capability Increment 2 Intercept,
Block 1, making AIM-9X a true dual-use missile, effective in either
air-to-air or surface-to-air applications without the need for
modifications to the missile.
- AIM-9X currently has 21 international customers. This includes
nine original Block I customers, followed by 12 new and five repeat
Block II customers. Block II deliveries to international customers
will begin in 2016.
- AIM-9X reliability for the currently fielded system has reached
three times the required mean time between failures.
About Raytheon
Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of
$23 billion and 61,000 employees, is
a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil
government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of
innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art
electronics, mission systems integration,
C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and
mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon
is headquartered in Waltham,
Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.
Media Contact
Ashley
Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Company