DEFENCE
DEFENCE
ARMAMENTS
The Italian Embassy in Washington D.C. notified the Navy International Programs Office that the Italian Air Force accepted and signed the Letter of Offer & Acceptance (LOA) provided by the United States Government.
Italian Air Force officials signed the LOA on November 19, and shortly after representatives from the Air-to-Air Missiles Program Office – PMA-259 and the Raytheon Missiles & Defense company presented the AIM-9X Block II/II+ upgraded capabilities to the Italian Air Force Staff and F-35 Lightning II pilots.
The F-35 can carry up to two AIM-9X missiles on its wings and four AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles internally.
This LOA refers to a small quantity of AIM-9X Block II/II+ missiles to complement the Italian F-35 fleet. This procurement will be part of the US Navy’s Lot 23 Production Contract, which will be awarded in 2023 and shall deliver missiles in 2026.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder (where “AIM” stands for “Air Intercept Missile”) is a short-range air-to-air missile that entered service with the US Navy in 1956 and subsequently was adopted by the US Air Force in 1964.
It is worth noting that the AIM-9X missiles feature the 5th generation “Block II+II” technology which adds a ‘Lock-on After Launch’ capability with a data link, so the missile can first be launched and then directed to its target by an aircraft with the proper equipment for 360-degree engagements, such as the F-35s and the F-22s.
Also read: Lockheed wins $10.9B contract to modernise F-22
ARMAMENTS
NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION
Lambda (λ) Automata | Autonomous surveillance solutions at “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference
The recent presentation of the start-up company Lambda Automata at the “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference…
VELOS ROTORS | Velos V3 UAS introduced as ideal example of dual-use systems
The “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference held at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers’ Club in…
US Navy | First combat use of SM-3 Missiles
In a historic first, US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyers deployed Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) anti-missile interceptors in combat…
SIPRI | New record in global military spending
In 2023, global military spending set a new record for the ninth consecutive year, according to research by SIPRI, the Stockholm-based…
Iraq – Turkey | Sign more than 20 agreements
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met with his Iraqi counterpart, Abdul Latif Rashid, in Baghdad on the occasion of his official…
Lambda (λ) Automata | Autonomous surveillance solutions at “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference
The recent presentation of the start-up company Lambda Automata at the “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference…
VELOS ROTORS | Velos V3 UAS introduced as ideal example of dual-use systems
The “Investing in Deep Tech: Dual-Use Technologies” conference held at the Hellenic Armed Forces Officers’ Club in…
OCCAR | Additional Night Vision Goggles
The Director of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), Mr. Joachim Sucker, has signed a third amendment to…
Iraq | Εxplosion at military base south of Baghdad
A major explosion at a command post of the Iraqi Army took place today Saturday about 50 kilometers south of Baghdad…