The Naval Air Systems Command awarded Raytheon [RTN] an $83 million modification to a previously awarded contract to procure 180 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder all-up-round tactical full-rate production Lot 17 missiles for U.S. and international clients, the Defense Department said last Wednesday.

The Defense Department said the various Sidewinders will be for the Air Force (52), Navy (8), the governments of Poland (93), Indonesia (14), Romania (10), and Belgium (3).

The launch of an AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missile. Photo: Raytheon.
The launch of an AIM-9X-2 Sidewinder Missile. Photo: Raytheon.

The modification also provides for the procurement of  additional associated equipment. It procures 11 captive air training missiles for the Air Force and eight for the Navy; 50 AIM-9X missile containers for the Air Force (14), Navy (1), Marine Corps (1), the governments of Poland (26), Indonesia (4), Romania (3), and Belgium (1).

The contract includes three special air training missiles for the Marine Corps’ Harriers, two spare active optical target detectors for the Air Force, two spare tactical guidance units (live battery) for the Air Force, two spare captive air training missile guidance units (inert battery) for the Air Force, seven spare active optical target detector containers for the Air Force (6) and Navy (1), four guidance unit containers for the Navy (2) and Air Force (2), and associated lots of spares for the Navy, Air Force and government of Poland. 

The work is expected to be finished by March 2020.