AIM-9X Sidewinder

Fact Sheet

Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile 

Description: The AIM-9X is a major modification to the AIM-9M Sidewinder. The program upgrades the missile with a focal plane array guidance control section, a highly maneuverable airframe, and signal processors that enhance its kinematics and infrared countermeasures capabilities. The missile will provide U.S. fighters with air superiority into the next century. The missile's high off-boresight capability can be coupled to a helmet-mounted cueing system, which will revolutionize the way in which air-to-air missiles are employed. The Navy's F/A-18 C/D/E/F Hornet and the Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-15 Eagle, and F-22 aircraft are currently programmed to carry the AIM-9X. The AIM-9M8/9 is the last of the planned upgrades to the existing, analog-based AIM-9M, and will incorporate enhanced infrared counter-countermeasures (IRCCM) features.

Program Status: The 18-month Demonstration/Validation (Dem/Val) program was completed in summer 1996. An Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase began in FY 1997. Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is scheduled for FY 2002.

Developer/Manufacturer: Raytheon Missile Systems Company, Tucson, Arizona.