US approves latest Sidewinder missiles for Italy

Italy is acquiring the latest AIM-9X Block II+ air-to-air missile to equip its fleet of F-35 (pictured) combat aircraft. (Italian Air Force)

The United States has approved the sale of 66 Raytheon AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to Italy, announcing a potential USD90.6 million sale on 15 March.

The US Department of State approval covers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of an additional 28 Block II+ missiles to add to the 38 previously approved, as well as training missiles, related equipment, training, and support.

“The proposed sale will improve Italy's capability to meet current and future threats by providing training missiles and guidance units for Italy's F-35 fleet in support of NATO's defence mission,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

Compared with the Block I missile, the Block II (also known as AIM-9X-2) features a redesigned fuze, as well as new onboard processors, a rocket motor battery, ignition safety device, and datalink. According to Janes Weapons: Air-Launched , the DSU-37/B (modified DSU-15B/B) laser proximity fuze is replaced with a more modern system (the DSU-41 Advanced Optical Detector System), making more space available inside the missile body for additional capabilities to be incorporated.

One such additional capability is a datalink that will double the maximum range of the missile and greatly increase its effectiveness throughout the engagement zone. The datalink is the same system as that employed on the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and operates on the same bandwidth. This enables long-range engagements using a lofted trajectory and (near) rear-hemisphere engagements when combined with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). The Block II missile also has a software-driven lock-on-after-launch (LOAL) capability.