The Netherlands has been approved for additional AIM-9X Block II missiles to arm its F-35A combat fleet. (US Air Force)
The United States has approved the sale of Raytheon AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles to the Netherlands, announcing a potential USD691 million sale on 6 September.
The US Department of State approval covers the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of an additional 246 Block II missiles to add to the 72 and 28 previously approved in separate notifications, as well as training missiles, related equipment, training, and support.
“The proposed sale will improve the Netherlands' capability to meet current and future threats and enhance interoperability with the United States and other NATO members. The Netherlands will have no difficulty absorbing these weapons into its armed forces,” 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.
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