
Raytheon (RTN) has been given the green light to begin full-rate production of the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II infrared air-to-air missile, the company said Thursday. The program completed operational test and evaluation earlier this year and Raytheon is now approved to produce missiles at full factory capacity. The Block II configuration makes the AIM-9X a dual-use missile, capable of air-to-air and surface-to-air applications with no modification, Raytheon said."We've proven the increased capabilities of the AIM-9X Block II, and are confident Raytheon can produce…