The Navy is spending $1.1 billion on the most successful air-to-air missile in the world

Yahoo

5 days ago

Raytheon announced in June 2025 that it was awarded a $1.1 billion contract by the U.S. Navy to produce AIM-9X Block II missiles. This represents the largest contract ever awarded for the program and will increase Sidewinder production to 2,500 missiles annually. The contract will bolster and modernize America's missile supply as existing stockpiles are depleted to support foreign military aid worldwide.
With this milestone contract, let's take a look at how the Sidewinder became the most successful air-to-air missile in history.
Entering service in 1956, the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses infrared homing to lock on to and track a target like the snake it's named after. The missile was so revolutionary when it came out that the Soviet Union reverse-engineered it from a Sidewinder fired by a Taiwanese F-86 that failed to detonate and lodged itself in a Chinese MiG-17 in 1958.
Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but the dud missile also reflected poorly on the AIM-9 shortly after its introduction.
Despite upgrades to the AIM-9E, the Sidewinder struggled in Vietnam with an 8% success rate. That's worse than Billy Bergen's MLB batting average of .170.
Subsequent upgrades led to the AIM-9L version, which was used to great effect by the British in the 1982 Falklands War, with an estimated 80% launch-to-kill ratio. 'Most Improved' might be a bit of a backhanded award to receive, but this marked the turning point in the Sidewinder's reputation.
With further upgrades to its speed, range, and homing ability, the Sidewinder is now the most widely used air-to-air missile in the West. Over 110,000 missiles have been produced and deployed by more than 30 countries worldwide. With an estimated 270 aircraft kills as of 2004, the Sidewinder has earned its status as the most successful air-to-air missile.
The latest version of the Sidewinder, the AIM-9X Block II, is a joint program led by the Navy in collaboration with the Air Force. It's so advanced that it can lock on to and hit targets behind the launching fighter and even strike targets on the ground. Moreover, the Sidewinder has been adapted for use with ground launchers.
With the proliferation of drones in the modern battlefield, ground-based air defense has seen a renewed focus. The infantry that used to make fun of the air defense battery for playing Magic the Gathering in air-conditioned trailers still make fun of them; they're just thankful to have Patriot missiles keeping the skies clear of lawnmowers of death.
Although the exact numbers were not published, AIM-9 Sidewinders have been sent to Ukraine as part of the $31.7 billion drawdown from DoD stockpiles. Capable of being fired by the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, these missiles are a critical piece of Ukraine's air defense network.
In May 2025, Ukraine reported that AIM-9 Sidewinders were used to shoot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter jets in the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the incident. Dialing the clock back, the Israeli Air Force reported that one of its F-35s shot down a cruise missile using an AIM-9X in November 2023. The most recent U.S. employment of the Sidewinder was during the infamous Chinese spy balloon incidents in February 2023.
The Air Force confirmed that an F-22 Raptor used an AIM-9X to shoot the balloon down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 of that year. Then another F-22 shot a balloon down over Alaska with an AIM-9X on February 10. February 11 and 12 saw additional balloon shoot downs over Yukon, Canada and Lake Huron, Michigan, respectively.
While the February 11 shoot down followed the pattern of an F-22 and an AIM-9X, February 12 shook things up. The AIM-9X was fired by an F-16 and the first missile missed, reportedly due to the balloon's small size. Imagine the grief the pilot got upon return.
With the record $1.1B contract for the AIM-9X and accelerated production, the Sidewinder doesn't look like it's going anywhere. Logistics matter and a shooting war is going require ammo…lots of ammo. While modern fighter jets can employ long-range radar-guided missiles that can shoot beyond the horizon, the Sidewinder remains an essential weapon in the arsenal of any flying force.
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