U.S. Navy Orders More Raytheon AIM-9X-4 Block II Missiles to Support US and Allied Air Power
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According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 2, 2025, Raytheon, a division of RTX Corporation, has secured a major contract from the U.S. Navy to produce a new batch of AIM-9X-4 Block II All Up Round (AUR) air-to-air missiles. The deal includes 492 missiles for the U.S. Navy, 456 for the U.S. Air Force, and 808 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partners, reinforcing the missile’s critical role in air combat operations among both U.S. and allied forces.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An AIM-9X sidewinder is seen on the wing of an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet as it prepares to take off from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, United States. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The AIM-9X-4 Block II is the latest generation of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile family, a series of infrared-guided short-range missiles first introduced in the 1950s and continuously evolved to remain relevant in modern air combat. The Block II variant brings a comprehensive suite of technical and tactical improvements that place it among the most advanced dogfight weapons in the world today. Technically, the AIM-9X-4 integrates a highly sensitive imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with advanced signal processing and enhanced counter-countermeasures to defeat sophisticated enemy flares and jamming systems. This seeker allows the missile to lock onto heat signatures from extreme off-boresight angles, enabling the pilot to engage enemy aircraft without having to point the nose of the aircraft directly at the target.
The missile is equipped with thrust vectoring control (TVC), giving it extreme agility in flight and allowing rapid turns post-launch to engage maneuvering targets. The inclusion of a digital ignition safety device and a redesigned electronic fuse system ensures safe handling and improved warhead detonation precision. It also supports lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability when used in conjunction with helmet-mounted cueing systems like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), enabling engagement of targets outside the pilot’s direct line of sight or even behind the aircraft.
From a combat and tactical standpoint, the AIM-9X-4 Block II provides several key battlefield advantages. In within-visual-range (WVR) engagements, its high off-boresight targeting and agility allow pilots to win dogfights even in highly dynamic, close-quarters airspace. This is especially vital in scenarios involving fifth-generation threats or aircraft operating in highly contested environments where radar-guided missiles may be denied or degraded. The missile’s passive infrared seeker means it does not emit signals that can be detected by enemy warning receivers, making it a stealthier option during engagements.
The missile also plays a critical role in layered air defense strategies. In joint operations, AIM-9X-4-equipped aircraft can quickly neutralize low-flying or fast-moving threats, such as enemy fighters, drones, or cruise missiles, before they penetrate deeper into defended airspace. The missile’s compact size and modularity allow it to be integrated across a range of platforms, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-15EX, F-16C/Ds, and F-35 Lightning IIs. For FMS customers, it delivers not only a technological edge but also seamless interoperability with U.S. and NATO assets.
In real-world scenarios, the missile is expected to excel in high-intensity air combat missions over the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe, where air superiority and rapid threat engagement are critical. Its all-weather, day-night operability and high kill probability in cluttered environments provide a decisive advantage in both defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air missions.
As the nature of aerial threats continues to evolve with the rise of stealthy, hypersonic, and unmanned systems, the AIM-9X-4 Block II remains a cornerstone of U.S. and allied tactical airpower. This latest procurement signals the Pentagon’s commitment to maintaining its edge in aerial combat and ensuring allied nations can field interoperable, top-tier munitions in future coalition operations.
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According to information published by the U.S. Department of Defense on June 2, 2025, Raytheon, a division of RTX Corporation, has secured a major contract from the U.S. Navy to produce a new batch of AIM-9X-4 Block II All Up Round (AUR) air-to-air missiles. The deal includes 492 missiles for the U.S. Navy, 456 for the U.S. Air Force, and 808 for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partners, reinforcing the missile’s critical role in air combat operations among both U.S. and allied forces.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An AIM-9X sidewinder is seen on the wing of an F-35A Lightning II fighter jet as it prepares to take off from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, United States. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)
The AIM-9X-4 Block II is the latest generation of the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile family, a series of infrared-guided short-range missiles first introduced in the 1950s and continuously evolved to remain relevant in modern air combat. The Block II variant brings a comprehensive suite of technical and tactical improvements that place it among the most advanced dogfight weapons in the world today. Technically, the AIM-9X-4 integrates a highly sensitive imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with advanced signal processing and enhanced counter-countermeasures to defeat sophisticated enemy flares and jamming systems. This seeker allows the missile to lock onto heat signatures from extreme off-boresight angles, enabling the pilot to engage enemy aircraft without having to point the nose of the aircraft directly at the target.
The missile is equipped with thrust vectoring control (TVC), giving it extreme agility in flight and allowing rapid turns post-launch to engage maneuvering targets. The inclusion of a digital ignition safety device and a redesigned electronic fuse system ensures safe handling and improved warhead detonation precision. It also supports lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability when used in conjunction with helmet-mounted cueing systems like the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), enabling engagement of targets outside the pilot’s direct line of sight or even behind the aircraft.
From a combat and tactical standpoint, the AIM-9X-4 Block II provides several key battlefield advantages. In within-visual-range (WVR) engagements, its high off-boresight targeting and agility allow pilots to win dogfights even in highly dynamic, close-quarters airspace. This is especially vital in scenarios involving fifth-generation threats or aircraft operating in highly contested environments where radar-guided missiles may be denied or degraded. The missile’s passive infrared seeker means it does not emit signals that can be detected by enemy warning receivers, making it a stealthier option during engagements.
The missile also plays a critical role in layered air defense strategies. In joint operations, AIM-9X-4-equipped aircraft can quickly neutralize low-flying or fast-moving threats, such as enemy fighters, drones, or cruise missiles, before they penetrate deeper into defended airspace. The missile’s compact size and modularity allow it to be integrated across a range of platforms, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-15EX, F-16C/Ds, and F-35 Lightning IIs. For FMS customers, it delivers not only a technological edge but also seamless interoperability with U.S. and NATO assets.
In real-world scenarios, the missile is expected to excel in high-intensity air combat missions over the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe, where air superiority and rapid threat engagement are critical. Its all-weather, day-night operability and high kill probability in cluttered environments provide a decisive advantage in both defensive counter-air and offensive counter-air missions.
As the nature of aerial threats continues to evolve with the rise of stealthy, hypersonic, and unmanned systems, the AIM-9X-4 Block II remains a cornerstone of U.S. and allied tactical airpower. This latest procurement signals the Pentagon’s commitment to maintaining its edge in aerial combat and ensuring allied nations can field interoperable, top-tier munitions in future coalition operations.
