Air Force preps five-year Sidewinder guidance section contract

The Air Force will order 512 guidance and control sections for Raytheon's Sidewinder missiles over five years, the service said in a Federal Business Opportunities notice this week.

A request for proposals expected out Jan. 23 will offer Switzerland's RUAG Aviation a sole-source, fixed-price contract with five one-year ordering periods, the Jan. 9 pre-solicitation notice stated. The buy includes 162 GCSs in the first year, 150 in the second, 100 in the third and 50 each in the fourth and fifth years.

AIM-9P-5 Sidewinder infrared heat-seeking guidance and control sections direct the supersonic air-to-air missile to a target when launched by the F-15 and F-16.

Last month, lawmakers authorized more than $127 million for the Air Force to procure 287 AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles in the Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act.