RTX to ramp AIM-9X production to 2,500 missiles per year with new $1.1 billion award

Defense giant RTX plans to increase its AIM-9X Block II production to 2,500 missiles per year, the company announced today after receiving a $1.1 billion Navy contract modification earlier this week.

The award buys a total of 1,756 AIM-9X-4 Block II missiles -- 492 for the Navy, 456 for the Air Force and 808 for foreign military sales customers -- as well as 242 AIM-9X-5 Block II+ missiles for FMS customers, according to a Pentagon contract announcement.

The award also covers multiple training missiles, maintenance kits and other auxiliary equipment, the government announcement states. Work is expected to conclude by October 2028.

The AIM-9X is a battle-tested, air-to-air and surface-to-air missile used by the U.S. Navy, Air Force and over 30 international militaries. The U.S. Navy leads a joint program office for the missile.

According to RTX, the $1.1 billion award -- which draws funding from the Navy, Air Force and FMS customers -- is the largest production contract to date for the program.

“This award represents a historic milestone for the AIM-9X program, further emphasizing its importance to the U.S. and partnered nations,” said Raytheon’s president for naval power, Barbara Borgonovi, in a statement included in the company release. “Through our partnership with the U.S. Navy, we are well-positioned to support this increased demand.”

The award comes as the Defense Department seeks to bolster its weapons stockpile for a potential Indo-Pacific conflict. It follows a period of heightened U.S. munitions expenditures, especially in the Red Sea, where the Pentagon spent recent months conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.

The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act directed the Navy and Air Force to evaluate their inventory requirements for air-to-air missiles and consider adjusting acquisition plans to ensure weapons stockpiles are sufficient to meet heightened operational demands.