Saudi Arabia to Purchase Raytheon AIM-9X Missiles

(Tucson, Ariz., March 30, 2009) -- The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. government executed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase Raytheon Company's AIM-9X missile. Saudi Arabia is the world's 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile.

"The AIM-9X will provide our Saudi Arabian allies with unparalleled capability, a small logistical footprint and ease of integration onto its existing fighter aircraft," said Capt. Jeffrey Penfield, the U.S. Navy's Air-to-Air Missile program manager. "AIM-9X has demonstrated its reliability during ongoing operational deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan and in extensive user-driven test programs with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force."

Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RSAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles for its F-15 fighter aircraft.

"The Royal Saudi Air Force truly chose the most affordable and capable within-visual-range air-to-air missile in the world," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon Missile Systems vice president of Air Warfare Systems. "Raytheon has delivered more than 3,000 Block I missiles on cost and ahead of schedule, and we look forward to continuing to do the same for the newest member of the AIM-9X family."

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