The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range, infrared-homing, air-to-air missile, in service with over 50 nations. It is one of the most widely produced missiles of all times, and has seen more combat use than any other air-to-air missile. Currently, the missile is assembled at the US Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, CA, from components procured from several firms. Lockheed Martin (formerly Loral, and Ford Aerospace) has produced over 120,000 Sidewinder guidance & control units and Raytheon over 45,000. Many older model Sidewinders were upgraded to newer models by Loral and Raytheon. The Sidewinder has also been license produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in Japan and by a European consortium led by Bodenseewerk Geraetetechnik GmbH (BGT) of Germany. The European consortium manufactured over 30,000 AIM-9B, AIM-9F and AIM-9L Sidewinders. In total, over 200,000 Sidewinders have been built.
展开▼
