The US Navy has awarded Raytheon a $1.1-billion contract modification to manufacture more than 1,900 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles for US and allied forces. The order includes operational missiles, training variants, and test units, with the majority intended to replenish American inventories while additional missiles will be delivered through foreign military sales. Featuring enhanced electronics, thrust-vector control, and lock-on-after-launch capability, the AIM-9X Block II remains one of the most advanced short-range air-to-air missiles and is compatible with numerous fighter aircraft as well as NASAMS air defense systems.
