Sidewinder (AIM-9X)

Sidewinder (AIM-9X) is a missile procurement program led by the Department of the Navy (DoN) and the Air Force. The specific goal of this program is to procure the AIM-9X Block II/II+ Sidewinder missiles, which are critical for air combat maneuvering within visual range (WVR) and beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air battles. The program aims to provide first shot, first kill opportunities while conducting air combat maneuvering WVR, essential for aircrew survival, and to complement the radar-guided Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). Additionally, the program seeks to address Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS) issues and protect improvements inherent in the missile design through studies, bridge buys, life of type buys, supplier/parts replacement, and qualification activities to preserve future production capabilities and capacities.

The AIM-9X Block II/II+ Sidewinder program involves the procurement of a total quantity of 11,635 missiles, with 5,326 missiles for DoN and 6,309 missiles for USAF. The funding allocated for this program in FY24 is specifically intended to procure the tenth lot of Full Rate Production (FRP) AIM-9X Block II missiles for the Air Force. The program unit costs are based on quantities procured by DoN and USAF as well as Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers. Additionally, funding may be used to resolve production DMS issues through various activities such as studies and parts replacement. The program also involves Anti-tamper features incorporated to protect improvements inherent in this design.