Raytheon Wins $1.1 Billion US Navy Contract for AIM-9X Sidewinder Missiles
Raytheon Co. has secured a $1.1 billion contract modification from the U.S. Navy to produce additional AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles. The Navy awarded this modification (contract N0001924C0032, P00004) under an existing fixed-price incentive contract to support “Lot 25” production of the AIM-9X Block II family. This is the largest contract yet for the AIM-9X program, a milestone that will increase annual Sidewinder output to about 2,500 missiles per year.
The AIM-9X is the most advanced infrared-tracking short-range missile in the U.S. inventory and is utilized for both air-to-air and short-range surface attack missions. Production will occur at multiple Raytheon facilities across North America. The primary missile assembly will take place in Tucson, Arizona, which accounts for approximately 36% of the effort. Major subassembly and integration work will also occur in Utah, Illinois, West Virginia, and Oregon, among other U.S. locations. Components and subsystems will also be provided by allied partners. For instance, Raytheon has operations in Canada and Germany that will contribute about 3–4% of the work share.
The modification exercises options to build 1,756 AIM-9X-4 Block II tactical missiles (with 492 allocated to the Navy, 456 to the Air Force, and 808 to foreign partners under Foreign Military Sales). Additionally, 242 AIM-9X-5 Block II+ missiles will be delivered to allied customers. The work package also includes dozens of training and test rounds (CATM, NATM, DATM), sectionalization and maintenance kits, spare parts, and containers to support U.S. and allied operators. According to the Pentagon, the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River (Maryland) is managing the contract. Deliveries and related work are expected to continue through October 2028.
The contract carries significant strategic implications. The Sidewinder is widely deployed on fighters such as the F/A-18, F-16, and F-35. Several U.S. allies have recently been authorized to purchase AIM-9X missiles. For example, Norway was cleared to buy up to 300 AIM-9X Block II missiles, and Turkey is set to procure Block II Sidewinders. By locking in higher production rates and delivering missiles to both U.S. and foreign users, the Navy ensures that allied air forces receive the advanced Sidewinder capability they require.