Air-launched Sidewinder tested as ground-based weapon

The AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile has been successfully used as a ground-based air defense weapon was conducted recently by the U.S. Army and Raytheon.

In the test, the unmodified missile locked onto an unmanned aerial vehicle target before launch, and then intercepted and destroyed the UAS, which was flying at an altitude of more than 4,900 feet, Raytheon said.

"This is another example of how Raytheon is leveraging its proven portfolio of products to fulfill gaps in other mission areas, such as ground-based air defense," said Mike Jarrett, Raytheon Air Warfare Systems vice president. "AIM-9X can perform well against fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial systems or cruise missiles and retain the 'first look, first shot, first kill' reputation -- in the air and from the ground."

The Sidewinder was fired from a prototype multi-mission launcher.

Development of the Block II AIM-9X missile began in 2011 and it achieved initial operational capability status last March.

Raytheon said the missile used by Navy and Air Force fighters is slated to be the baseline missile for the Army Indirect Fires Protection Capability Increment 2 program for air defense.