The Navy awarded Raytheon Technologies [RTX] a $114 million modification on Nov. 18 to build and deliver more AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and related support parts.
The award is focused on additional AIM-9X production Lot 22 requirements. It is divided into 145 AIM-9X Block II all-up-round tactical missiles (104 for the Army; 41 for the Navy); one Block II Captive Air Training Missile for the Air Force; 14 Block II special air training missiles (11 for the Army; three for the Air Force) and eight Block II captive test missiles (five for the Army; three for the Air Force).
The order also includes multiple Sidewinder parts and support including 42 all up round containers (31 for the Army; nine for the Air Force; and two for Foreign Military Sales (FMS)); four spare advanced optical target detectors for the Navy; two spare advanced optical target detector containers for the Navy; 11 spare Block II guidance units (live battery) (seven for FMS; 4 for the Navy); nine spare Block II+ guidance units (live battery) for FMS; 13 guidance unit containers for FMS; 55 spare Block II Captive Air Training Missile guidance units (inert battery) (32 for the Navy; 15 for the Air Force; eight for FMS); and other related support parts and “non-recurring engineering associated with Systems Improvement Program III transition to production activities,” the announcement said.
The work will largely be split between Tucson, Ariz. (21.64 percent); North Logan, Utah (28.09 percent); Linthicum Heights, Md. (18.88 percent); and Minneapolis, Minn. (11.46 percent) and is expected to be finished by November 2025.
At the time of award obligated funding is split between $55.5 million from fiscal year 2022 Army research and development funds, $30 million from FY ‘22 Navy weapons procurement, $1 million in FY ‘22 Navy research and development funds, $13 million in FY ‘22 Air Force missile procurement account, $3 million in FY ‘22 Air Force research and development funds, and $12 million in FMS customer funds.
The announcement said $59 million of this funding will expire at the end of fiscal year 2023.
This award comes after the Navy announced Portugal became the 29th Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X international partner earlier this month for use on its F-16 fighter jets. Those missiles are due to be part of the Lot 23 production contract, with delivery in 2026 (Defense Daily, Nov. 10).