Navy orders Lot 9 production of AIM-9Xs

TUCSON, July 2 (UPI) -- Raytheon announced it has received a contract from the U.S. Navy for the Lot 9 production of its infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.

U.S. company Raytheon was awarded a $166.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to support the Lot 9 production. Under the deal, Raytheon will be expected to deliver to the Navy and U.S. allies its AIM-9X infrared-guided air-to-air missiles.

According to a news release, the contract is part of an effort to supply the U.S. military with Raytheon's "AIM-9X Block I missiles and introduce into the inventory the new AIM-9X Block II captive air training missile."

"Lot 9 continues to add to the inventory of the very successful Block I while setting the stage for AIM-9X Block II," Capt. Jeffrey Penfield, Navy air-to-air missile program manager, said in a statement.

"The delivery of these captive air training missile rounds is a critical first step in delivering a revolutionary new capability to the warfighter."