TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) successfully test-fired three AIM-9X® Block I missiles from an F-35A aircraft at airborne targets, resulting in direct hits. The weapon is the first short-range, air-to-air missile to be used on the F-35.

"These tests validated the on-board communications and handoffs between the aircraft and the missile required to prosecute an aerial target," said Mark Justus, AIM-9X program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "AIM-9X will help ensure our pilots and allies have the most reliable and effective weapons on the F-35. We look forward to the remaining flight test and integration work, leading to fielding of the AIM-9X on the most advanced fighter aircraft."

The series of guided live fire tests proved the end-to-end system capability of AIM-9X on the F-35, including:


    --  Loading
    --  In-flight carriage
    --  Target acquisition by the aircraft, passing a target cue to the missile
        on the rail
    --  Missile target acquisition and track
    --  Launch initiation
    --  Safe separation
    --  In-flight guidance
    --  Impact/proximity fuzing at target intercept.

The F-35 can carry two AIM-9X missiles on its wings and four AIM-120s internally when configured for an air dominance mission. These test firings advances integration of the AIM-9X, with introduction across the F-35 fleet expected in 2017. Complementary Raytheon weapons (AMRAAM and AIM-9X) ensure allied pilots flying the newest fighter aircraft have the most reliable, effective and lethal arsenal to assure victory in combat.

The fourth guided test in the series is expected to take place later this year.

About AIM-9X


    --  AIM-9X is a U.S. Navy-led, joint Navy and U.S. Air Force program, with
        program offices in Patuxent River, Md., and Tucson, Ariz.
    --  Raytheon has been producing AIM-9X missiles for more than 14 years.
    --  AIM-9X entered operational service in 2003; international deliveries
        began in 2005.
    --  AIM-9X Block II, which adds a datalink capability, successfully
        completed operational testing and began full rate production in 2015.
    --  The U.S. Navy declared initial operational capability with the Block II
        in March, 2015.
    --  The Block II will also be the baseline effector for the U.S. Army
        Indirect Fires Protection Capability Increment 2 Intercept, Block 1,
        making AIM-9X a true dual-use missile, effective in either air-to-air or
        surface-to-air applications without the need for modifications to the
        missile.
    --  AIM-9X currently has 21 international customers. This includes nine
        original Block I customers, followed by 12 new and five repeat Block II
        customers. Block II deliveries to international customers will begin in
        2016.
    --  AIM-9X reliability for the currently fielded system has reached three
        times the required mean time between failures.

About Raytheon
 Raytheon Company, with 2015 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 94 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I(TM) products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

Media Contact
 Ashley Mehl
+1.520.794.5142
rmspr@raytheon.com

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SOURCE Raytheon Company