Article Posted on : - Aug 28, 2015

A Raytheon photo of AIM-9X missile.

TUCSON (BNS): The US Army has successfully demonstrated the Raytheon-built AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder air-to-air missile's capability to be launched from a ground-based platform during a latest test firing.

The infrared-tracking, short-range AIM-9X is traditionally fired from aircraft toward aerial targets.

During its recent test-firing, it was launched from the Army's ground-based Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-I (IFPC 2-I) Block 1 Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) system.

The missile first locked onto an unmanned aerial system (UAS) before launch, and then intercepted and destroyed the UAS, which was flying 1,500 meters above ground level, Raytheon said.

The test demonstrated that the latest AIM-9X can be used in both air-to-air combat and now, without modification, in ground-based air defence.

"This is another example of how Raytheon is leveraging its proven portfolio of products to fulfil gaps in other mission areas, such as ground-based air defence," 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."

This test also validated the operation and design of the Army's prototype IFPC Multi-Mission Launcher and demonstrated the surface launch performance of the AIM-9X Block II missile against a UAS, the company said.