Morocco Becomes 10th AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile International Customer

Jul 9, 2012 ASDNews Source : Raytheon Corporation

The Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. government executed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to purchase Raytheon's (NYSE: RTN) AIM-9X Block II missile. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is the world's 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile and will be the fourth country with the AIM-9X Block II.

The AIM-9X Block II adds a redesigned fuze that offers a lock-on-after-launch and datalink capability to the AIM-9X Block I. The AIM-9X Block II missile is in the operational testing phase; Raytheon is currently producing AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles.

"The AIM-9X Block II brings enhanced capability to the RMAF that will enhance security in the Middle East and North Africa," said Capt. John Martins, U.S. Navy Air-to-Air Missile program manager. "This sale is a win for both the U.S. and Moroccan warfighters because it enhances coalition air combat operations and also reduces the unit cost of the AIM-9X Block II missile through economies of scale."

Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RMAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles for Morocco's F-16 fighter aircraft.

"This is the latest chapter of Raytheon's more than half a century commitment to the Middle East and North Africa," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "More than 400 Raytheon employees and suppliers have built and delivered more than 4,000 AIM-9X Block I missiles for the U.S. and our allies worldwide."

The Royal Moroccan Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. The weapon is currently integrated on the F/A-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

About the AIM-9X Block II

    Raytheon has more than 10 years of continuous on-time delivery of AIM-9X.

    AIM-9X Block II is in full-rate production.

    AIM-9X reliability is approaching three times the required mean time between failure.