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US State Department Approves Sale of 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles to Japan

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US State Department Approves Sale of 44 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles to Japan

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Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighter
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighter

The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $59.03 million. The Government of Japan has requested to buy forty-four (44) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II Tactical Missiles; and twenty-nine (29) AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM). Also included are missile containers; spare and repair parts; repair of repairables; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services; transportation and program support; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, Tucson, AZ.

The AIM-9 Sidewinder (“AIM” for “Air Intercept Missile”) is a short-range air-to-air missile. Entering service with the United States Navy in 1956 and the Air Force in 1964, the AIM-9 is one of the oldest, cheapest, and most successful air-to-air missiles. Its latest variants remain standard equipment in most Western-aligned air forces. Low-level development started in the late 1940s, emerging in the early 1950s as a guidance system for the modular Zuni rocket. This modularity allowed for the introduction of newer seekers and rocket motors, including the AIM-9C variant, which used semi-active radar homing and served as the basis of the AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missile. Due to the Sidewinder’s guidance system, the brevity code “Fox 2” is used when firing the AIM-9. Originally a tail-chasing system, early models saw extensive use during the Vietnam War, but had a low success rate.

511 Tactical
The AIM-9X Block II is the most advanced short-range air-air missile in the U.S. inventory, capable of using its datalink, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker to hit targets behind the launching fighter.
The AIM-9X Block II is the most advanced short-range air-air missile in the U.S. inventory, capable of using its datalink, thrust vectoring maneuverability, and advanced imaging infrared seeker to hit targets behind the launching fighter. (Photo by U.S. Naval Air Systems Command)

The AIM-9X entered service in November 2003 with the U.S. Air Force (the lead platform was the F-15C) and the U.S. Navy (the lead platform was the F/A-18C) and is a substantial upgrade to the Sidewinder family featuring an imaging infrared focal-plane array (FPA) seeker with claimed 90° off-boresight capability, compatibility with helmet-mounted displays such as the new U.S. Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), and a totally new two-axis thrust-vectoring control (TVC) system providing increased turn capability over traditional control surfaces (60Gs). Utilizing the JHMCS, a pilot can point the AIM-9X missile’s seeker and “lock on” by simply looking at a target, thereby increasing air combat effectiveness. It also features an electronic safe and arm device similar to the AMRAAM, allowing for a reduction in minimum range, and reprogrammable infrared Counter Counter Measures (IRCCM) capability.

The Block II adds lock-on after launch capability with a datalink, so the missile can be launched first and then directed to its target afterwards by an aircraft with the proper equipment for 360-degree engagements, such as the F-35 or the F-22. NAVAIR reported that the missile was exceeding performance requirements in all areas, including lock-on after launch (LOAL). One area where the Block II needs improvement is helmetless high off-boresight (HHOBS) performance. It is functioning well on the missile, but performance is below that of the Block I AIM-9X. The HHOBS deficiency does not impact any other Block II capabilities, and is planned to be improved upon by a software clean-up build. In February 2015, the U.S. Army successfully launched an AIM-9X Block II from the new Multi-Mission Launcher (MML), a truck-mounted missile launch container that can hold 15 of the missiles. The MML will complement the AN/TWQ-1 Avenger air defense system and is expected to begin fielding in 2019.

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