Raytheon’s Lot-12 AIM-9X Missile Orders

The currently fielded version of the missile is AIM-9X Block I, OFS 8.212, which includes limited lock-on-after-launch, full envelope off-boresight capability without a JHMCS helmet, and improved flare rejection performance. It uses the warhead, fuze, and rocket motor from the previous AIM-9M missile, but adds thrust-vectoring, a new imaging infrared seeker, a new digital processor, and a new autopilot. Because it’s all-digital, among other significant changes, aircraft that want to fire it need integration work. At present, F-15C/D Eagle, F-16C/D Falcon, and F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet family aircraft can carry the AIM-9X. South Korea’s F-15K Slam Eagles, and Saudi Arabia’s F-15SA Strike Eagles, will also be integrated in the near future. Other American aircraft, and foreign aircraft that can fire Sidewinders, are limited to previous-generation AIM-9Ms. Note that this even includes the F-22A Raptor, until its Increment 3.2 upgrade program is implemented.

The AIM-9X-2 missile includes a new processor, a new ignition battery for the rocket motor, an electronic ignition safety/arm device, and the DSU-41/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) fuze/datalink assembly. None of these things radically change performance by themselves, but OFS 9.3 is a software upgrade that adds trajectory management to improve range, datalink with the launching aircraft, improved lock-on-after-launch and target re-acquisition, and improved fuzing. The combination of AIM-9X-2 and OFS 9.3 makes an AIM-9X Block II missile.

March 30/12: The Pentagon’s Selected Acquisitions Report ending Dec 31/11 includes the AIM-9X Block I. It’s being canceled, which creates a critical cost breach – but since the cause is program cancellation, it doesn’t matter. See Jan 17/12 entry for why it’s being cancelled.

“AIM-9X Block I – The Program Acquisition Unit Cost (PAUC) increased 49.3% to the current APB and 71.8% to the original APB as a result of an adjustment to the program of record quantities from 10,142 to 3,142 missiles. Based on direction from Navy and Air Force requirements offices, there are no future production contracts for Block I after Lot 10 deliveries are complete. The approval of Block II to enter Low Rate Initial Production ends new production for Block I missiles, and shifts new production to Block II missiles. Since the critical Nunn-McCurdy breach is due to cancellation of the Block I program, no certification determination by the USD AT&L is required pursuant to section 2433 of title 10, United States Code.”

March 30/12: A $97.1 million firm-fixed-price, fixed-price-incentive-firm target contract modification, buying Lot 12 low rate initial production (LRIP-2) equipment for South Korea and Saudi Arabia.

South Korea: $11.8 million, 12.15%. 19 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 5 more containers. This is test-size lot.

Saudi Arabia: $85.3 million, 87.85%. 120 AIM-9X Block II All Up Round tactical missiles in containers; 42 more containers; 33 Block II captive air training missiles with no motor or warhead.

Work will be performed in Tucson, AZ. (41.40%); Andover, MA (10.12%); various locations in and outside the continental United States (6.56%); Valencia, CA (5.71%); Midland, Ontario, Canada (5.40%); Rocket Center, WVA (5.24%); Vancouver, WA (5.08%); Goleta, CA (2.99%); El Segundo, CA (2.81%); Cheshire, CT (2.30%); Simsbury, CT (1.60%); Cincinnati, Ohio (1.53%); Heilbronn, Germany (1.52%); El Cajon, CA (1.48%); San Jose, CA (1.45%); Anniston, AL (1.16%); San Diego, CA (0.87%); Chatsworth, CA (0.80%); Newbury Park, CA (0.74%); Orlando, Fla. (0.66%); and Montgomery, AL (0.58%). Work is expected to be completed in August 2014. US Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD acts as the agent for its Foreign Military Sale clients (N00019-11-C-0001).

March 27/12: US NAVAIR discusses the AIM-9X’s “heightened interest in foreign military sales (FMS),” and what that means for the USA:

“The future is bright for the AIM-9X program as robust international sales lower the procurement costs for all purchasers, including the U.S. government,” said Rick Cooley deputy program manager for international programs for the Navy’s Air-to-Air Missile program office (PMA-259) here. In recent years, international sales for the joint Navy and Air Force AIM-9X Sidewinder program have comprised almost half [emphasis DID’s] of the program’s production. The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile currently employed by more than 40 nations throughout the world.

In a surge of FMS agreements in late December 2011, Saudi Arabia and South Korea became the first international purchasers of the latest generation of the Sidewinder family, the infrared-guided AIM-9X-2 (Block II) missile system, for employment on their unique F-15 aircraft. “

Jan 17/12: Testing results. The Pentagon releases the FY 2011 Annual Report from its Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E). The AIM-9X is included, and the report reveals that the Navy has asked to re-baseline the AIM-9X Block II as a new program entering a pre-Milestone C decision.

“This decision was primarily driven by a cost per unit increase due to the new DSU-41/B AOTD fuze/datalink assembly, reductions in Service funding, software costs, and schedule delays.”

DOT&E’s one serious concern:

“Recent captive-carry testing has revealed declining missile reliability due to communication problems in 9.303 software and host aircraft compatibility deficiencies. The program office plans to fix these deficiencies, along with software changes in OFS 9.308. Raytheon plans another software build prior to the [Operational Test Readiness Review].... in April 2012. The schedule of live fire events required before the OTRR is aggressive; the Navy and Air Force must execute five more live flight tests prior to the OTRR. Testing delays could result in a delayed OTRR.”