Navy asks RTX Raytheon for a proximity fuze with digital signal processing for AIM-9X air-to-air missiles

Questions and answers:

• What new capability is the U.S. Navy seeking for the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile? The Navy wants RTX Corp. to develop a digital proximity fuze and update the missile’s operational flight software to increase its probability of kill against enemy aircraft.
• How does a digital proximity fuze improve missile effectiveness? It uses digital signal processing to filter out clutter, adjust sensitivity, and more precisely detect when a target is close enough for optimal detonation.
• Which aircraft are able to fire the AIM-9X Sidewinder? The F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35 can launch the AIM-9X.

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md. – U.S. Navy aerial warfare experts are asking RTX Corp. to develop a digital proximity fuze to increase the AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile's probability of kill over adversarial aircraft.

Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., issued a presolicitaton (N00019-25-RFPREQ-WPM259-0014) on Wednesday for the AIM-9X Systems Improvement Program IV Modification for Digital Proximity Fuze and Operational Flight Software 11.X Development project.

The AIM-9X is the latest variant of the AIM-9 Sidewinder family of short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missiles with a high off-boresight imaging infrared seeker, thrust vectoring for extreme maneuverability, and a datalink to engage targets even behind the launching aircraft.

The presolicitation notifies industry that the Navy intends to negotiate an order to the RTX Raytheon segment in Tucson, Ariz., to design and test a digital proximity fuze for the AIM-9X, and develop the operational flight software 11.X.

Automatic detonation

A proximity fuze automatically detonates an explosive when it comes within a certain distance of its target, without actually hitting the target. It increases the effectiveness of weapons against elusive or fast-moving targets like aircraft and missiles by sensing distance to target and triggering the explosion when the target is close enough to be damaged or destroyed.

A digital proximity fuze uses digital electronics to detect when an explosive device is close enough to a target to detonate. It improves on earlier analog designs by employing digital signal processing (DSP) to detect target proximity for precise timing of detonation.

The AIM-9X provides fighter pilots with first-shot, first-kill opportunities during close-range dogfighting and also supports limited beyond-visual-range engagements. Its design includes upgraded counter-countermeasures, improved target acquisition, and the ability to attack ground targets.

The AIM-9X fires from U.S. and allied fighter aircraft like the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35, and is one of the most advanced short-range air-to-air missiles in U.S. service.

Tell me more about how digital signal processing can enhance a missile proximity fuze ... 

• Digital signal processing (DSP) enhances the performance, reliability, and adaptability of a missile proximity fuze compared to traditional analog designs. DSP algorithms can filter out clutter to ensure the fuze only responds to valid target returns, and enable dynamic adjustment of detection thresholds based on signal-to-noise ratio to improve sensitivity against low-radar-cross-section targets. DSP also can analyze Doppler shifts, waveform characteristics, or modulation patterns to distinguish real targets from decoys. It also helps combine data from radar, infrared, or optical channels to refine fuze activation timing.

The AIM-9X is a joint U.S. Navy and Air Force program, with Navy acting as the lead service. No company other than Raytheon -- the original designer of the AIM-9X -- can perform the required work, Navy officials say.

Email questions or concerns to the Navy's Megan Rice at [email protected], with a copy to Jennifer Vance at [email protected].

For subcontracting opportunities, email RTX Raytheon's Vicki at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/e8c06796435a44e4aa1a54f4dde80dba/view.