Morocco becomes 10th AIM-9X Sidewinder missile international customer

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 8, 2012 -  The Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. government executed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to purchase Raytheon's  AIM-9X Block II missile. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is the world's 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile and will be the fourth country with the AIM-9X Block II.

The AIM-9X Block II adds a redesigned fuze that offers a lock-on-after-launch and datalink capability to the AIM-9X Block I. The AIM-9X Block II missile is in the operational testing phase; Raytheon is currently producing AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles.

"The AIM-9X Block II brings enhanced capability to the RMAF that will enhance security in the Middle East and North Africa," said Capt. John Martins, U.S. Navy Air-to-Air Missile program manager. "This sale is a win for both the U.S. and Moroccan warfighters because it enhances coalition air combat operations and also reduces the unit cost of the AIM-9X Block II missile through economies of scale."

Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RMAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles for Morocco's F-16 fighter aircraft.

"This is the latest chapter of Raytheon's more than half a century commitment to the Middle East and North Africa," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air Warfare Systems product line. "More than 400 Raytheon employees and suppliers have built and delivered more than 4,000 AIM-9X Block I missiles for the U.S. and our allies worldwide."

The Royal Moroccan Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. The weapon is currently integrated on the F/A-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.

About the AIM-9X Block II

•     Raytheon has more than 10 years of continuous on-time delivery of AIM-9X.
•     AIM-9X Block II is in full-rate production.
•     AIM-9X reliability is approaching three times the required mean time between failure.

Oman - AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER All-Up-Round Missiles

Defense Security Cooperation Agency

NEWS RELEASE

On the web: http://www.dsca.mil Media/Public Contact:

Charles Taylor (703) 601-3859

Paul Ebner (703) 601-3670

Transmittal No. 12-19

Oman – AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER All-Up-Round Missiles

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2012 – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on June 12 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Oman for 55 AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER All-Up-Round Missiles, 36 AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER Captive Air Training Missiles, 6 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Units, 4 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missile Guidance Units, 1 Dummy Air Training Missile, and other related equipment. The estimated cost is $86 million.

The Government of Oman has requested a possible sale of 55 AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER All-Up-Round Missiles, 36 AIM-9X Block II SIDEWINDER Captive Air Training Missiles, 6 AIM-9X Block II Tactical Guidance Units, 4 AIM-9X Block II Captive Air Training Missile Guidance Units, 1 Dummy Air Training Missile, containers, weapon support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $86 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East.

The Government of Oman is modernizing its F-16 fighter aircraft fleet to better support its own air defense needs.  The proposed sale of AIM-9X Block II missiles will provide a significant increase in Oman’s defensive capability while enhancing interoperability with the U.S. and other allies. Oman will have no difficulty absorbing this additional capability into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this weapon system and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The prime contractors will be Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona. There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips to Oman involving U.S. Government or contractor representatives on a temporary basis for program and technical support, and management oversight.

There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

This notice of a potential sale is required by law and does not mean the sale has been concluded