Copyright defence-blog
Raytheon Co. has been awarded a not-to-exceed $161 million deal to an existing contract to support expanded production and modernization of the AIM-9X air-to-air missile, a weapon central to U.S. and allied air defense capabilities. The modification to an existing contract, which includes support for Ukraine, calls for development and qualification of a new warhead, production of additional missiles, and transfer of key technical data to strengthen supply resilience. According to the Department of War, the undefinitized modification (P00005) to contract N0001924C0032 will fund non-recurring engineering work to develop, manufacture, and qualify a second-source solid rocket motor assembly and the WDU-17/B warhead for the AIM-9X. It will also support qualification of the WDU-17/B and the transfer of technical data package design activity. The work is intended to benefit the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Army, as well as the government of Ukraine and other Foreign Military Sales customers. The AIM-9X is the latest generation of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles, designed for high agility, precision, and reliability in close-combat air engagements. Its advanced seeker and thrust-vectoring control make it one of the most effective dogfighting missiles in the world, widely deployed by U.S. and allied air forces. In addition to the engineering work, the modification partially exercises options for the production and delivery of 126 AIM-9X-4 Block II tactical missiles, 32 missile containers, and 20 spare DSU-41 Active Optical Target Detector and Radio Frequency data links for the U.S. Army. Work under the contract will be distributed across several locations. The majority will be performed at Raytheon’s facility in Tucson, Arizona (36.37%), and at Nammo’s site in Raufoss, Norway (35.19%). Other production work will take place in North Logan, Utah (3.32%); Simsbury, Connecticut (3.32%); Niles, Illinois (2.85%); Camden, Arkansas (2.67%); Keyser, West Virginia (2.51%); Hillsboro, Oregon (1.54%); Schrobenhausen, Germany (1.46%); Midland, Ontario, Canada (1.04%); and Heilbronn, Germany (0.85%). Additional tasks will occur across various locations in the continental United States (8.88%). The project is expected to be completed by September 2029. Developing a second-source solid rocket motor and warhead production capability reduces supply chain risks and ensures stable output to meet rising demand from U.S. services and international partners. Ukraine’s inclusion in the contract reflects growing U.S. and allied efforts to equip Kyiv with advanced air defense and air-to-air capabilities as it faces ongoing Russian aggression. The AIM-9X has already played a role in Ukraine’s defense, integrated into Western-supplied air defense systems and potentially available for future fighter aircraft provided to Kyiv.
