Raytheon received $263.7 million to manufacture and deliver 619 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles to US Air Force, Navy and foreign customers

US defence giant Raytheon has been awarded funds to produce and deliver its 23rd batch of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II air-to-air missiles. The contract is for three years.

Here's What We Know

The US Department of Defense has allocated $263.7 million for the production and delivery of 619 missiles, of which 48 will be used for training. The customers are the US Air Force and Navy, along with foreign customers.

The US Air Force will receive the most AIM-9X Block II missiles, with 257 combat and 10 training missiles. 91 combat and 62 training missiles will go to the US Navy. Foreign customers will receive 223 live missiles (no training missiles).

The contract is to be completed by August 2026. Work will take place at Raytheon plants in Utah, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, California, Vermont, Michigan and Pennsylvania, as well as at sites outside the continental US.

Sales of AIM-9X Block II missiles to foreign customers will be carried out under the Foreign Military Sales program in accordance with the Arms Export Control Act.

Source: Pentagon