The new redesigned short-range sidewinder missile was declared operational at Elmendorf Air Force Base last week.
Elmendorf is the first base in the U.S. military where the AIM 9-X missile program has reached the operational stage, said Capt. Scott Stewart, Naval Air Systems Command program manager for air-to-air missiles. The missle has been tested on the base for about six months and has been in development for over 10 years, Stewart said, speaking during a ceremony on Elmendorf Nov. 13
"We had a threat in the (AA-11)," said Scott of the short-range missile used by many other nations. "Our (AIM-9M) didn't have the same capabilities. The AIM-9X has exceeded any other short-range missile. This is the most lethal short-range missile in the world."
The new missile will replace the AIM-9M on between 40 and 50 F-15C model jets in Elmendorf's 12th and 19th fighter squadrons. Within the next six months other U.S. Naval and Air Force bases will be declaring the missile operational, said Stewart. Both the Air Force and Navy have ordered about 5,000 of the missiles for use by 2018.
According to the Raytheon, developer of the AIM-9X, the missile is a launch-and-leave weapon with nearly over-the-shoulder firing capability. Each 10-foot long, 188-pound missile costs about $264,000, according to a U. S. General Accounting Office report.
"It more or less makes right turns," said Donald Targoff, vice-president of air-to-air missiles for Raytheon.
Raytheon developed some slogans for the missile including "First shot, first kill" and "It isn't supposed to be fair."
"It took until now to truly alter the playing filed," said Targoff.
Until last week, the Department of Defense was using a third generation missile while other countries were using a fourth generation with more capabilities, said Capt. Randy Gordon, F-15 pilot at Elmendorf. The AIM-9X is the first fifth generation short-range missile, he said.
The missile can be mounted to existing AIM-9M mounts. Some differences include the broader firing range, a new helmet mounted "monocle" sight, and a Cryoengine that keeps the missile cool without much maintenance.
"This is like going from a Volkswagen to a Mercedes," said Gordon, who has been training with the new missile for the last five or six months. "This is much more maneuverable, longer range, and much more sensitive."
The range of the missile is about the range of sight, said Stewart, adding that could be anywhere from seven to 10 miles.
Brig. Gen. Robertus Remkes, commander of the 3rd Wing, said simply having the AIM-9X operationally will be a deterrent.
"When you combine this technology with that of the F-15 it's a very lethal combination," said Remkes. "Other countries will think twice before engaging in air combat with us."
Reach the reporter at gdart@alaskastar.com
