Raytheon received $21 million to develop next-generation air-to-air missiles to replace AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has signed a contract with Raytheon in support of a program to develop a new generation of extended-range air-to-air missiles.

Here's What We Know

Raytheon received $21 million. Under the contract, the U.S. company has until December 15, 2029 to develop "critical subsystem technologies". The new missiles will replace the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and AIM-9X Sidewinder.

The agreement with Raytheon is identical to what the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory signed two months ago with Boeing. But the Virginia-headquartered company must fulfill the contract by September 2027.

Also, let's not forget that Lockheed Martin is working on the secret AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) aircraft missile. We mentioned it when we wrote about the upcoming upgrade of the F-22 Raptor aircraft. It will be the same size as the AIM-120. The next-generation missiles should fit into the weapon bays of the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters (156" / 396 cm).

It is possible that Raytheon will offer the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory its Peregrine design, which was announced several years ago. The rocket will be about 2 meters long and weigh 25 kg.

At the time of the announcement, the manufacturer stated that modern technology will allow to fit the detection and guidance system complex into a compact body. At the same time Peregrine will have a higher speed as compared to the missiles that are in service with the US and its allies. Its compact dimensions as compared to AMRAAM and Sidewinder will allow increasing combat load of the fifth generation fighter.

Source: Pentagon
Images: Raytheon, FlightGlobal, Akela Freedom