Municiones

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder

Also known as
  • AIM-9X
  • Sidewinder Block II

El AIM-9X Sidewinder es una familia estadounidense de misiles de corto alcance con seguimiento infrarrojo, fabricada por Raytheon para cazas modernos y defensa aérea de lanzamiento desde superficie. RTX afirma que puede instalarse en aeronaves F-15, F-16, F/A-18, EA-18G, F-22 y F-35, mientras que NAVAIR sitúa su entrada en servicio en 2003 y la producción a plena cadencia del Block II en 2015.

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder, Misil aire-aire de corto alcance, Municiones
Image source: AIM-9X Sidewinder.jpg

Role in Conflicts

What Makes AIM-9X Distinct

El AIM-9X es más que un Sidewinder modernizado. NAVAIR y RTX describen un misil construido alrededor de un buscador infrarrojo de imagen con alta capacidad de adquisición fuera del eje, con el Block II añadiendo capacidad de enganche después del lanzamiento y un enlace de datos del arma.

CaracterísticaDetalle documentadoPor qué importa
BuscadorInfrarrojo de imagen con adquisición de alto ángulo fuera del ejeDa al misil un cono de disparo más amplio que los misiles termoguiados más antiguos.
Actualización Block IIEnlace de datos del arma y capacidad de enganche después del lanzamientoPermite que el misil reciba actualizaciones después del lanzamiento y se emplee con mayor flexibilidad.
Opciones de lanzamientoLanzamiento aéreo o desde superficie sin modificaciónExplica por qué el AIM-9X también aparece en NASAMS y otras funciones de defensa terrestre.
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Built by
Raytheon
Type
Misil aire-aire de corto alcance
Service note
Década de 2000-presente
Designer
Raytheon y Loral Martin
Designed
Década de 1990
Unit cost
$402,000 de costo unitario promedio de adquisición (AIM-9X Block II, PB 2025, dólares del año base 2011)
Produced
Producción aprobada en 2000; producción a plena cadencia aprobada en 2004; el AIM-9X Block II alcanzó la producción a plena cadencia en 2015.
Number built
Más de 10,000 entregados para mayo de 2021

Specifications

Función principal
Misil aire-aire
Sistema de guiado
Buscador infrarrojo de imagen con adquisición de alto ángulo fuera del eje
Modos de lanzamiento
Lanzamiento aéreo o desde superficie sin modificación
Longitud
9.9 pies (3.02 metros)
Peso de lanzamiento
186 libras (84.37 kg)
Ojiva
Fragmentación anular por explosión
Planta motriz
Motor cohete ATK MK-139 de propelente sólido
Mejoras del Block II
Añade enlace de datos del arma y capacidad de enganche después del lanzamiento
Variants
  • AIM-9X Block I
  • AIM-9X Block II
  • AIM-9X Block II+
Carrier Aircraft

RTX says AIM-9X is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, EA-18G, F-22, and F-35 families.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-15E Strike EagleStrike fighter

RTX lists the F-15E Strike Eagle among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter

RTX lists the F-16 Fighting Falcon among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetCarrier-capable strike fighter

RTX lists the F/A-18 Super Hornet among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX

EA-18G Growler, Carrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraft, Electronic WarfareEA-18G GrowlerElectronic attack aircraft

RTX lists the E/A-18G Growler among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX

F-22 Raptor, Fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-22 RaptorAir-superiority fighter

RTX lists the F-22 Raptor among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX

F-35 Lightning II, Fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35 Lightning IIFifth-generation multirole fighter

RTX lists all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter variants among the modern aircraft configured for AIM-9X installation.

Sources: AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTX, RAAF Flies F-35As in Beast Mode for the First Time

F-35C Lightning II, Carrier-based stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35C Lightning IICarrier-based stealth fighter

UOTT live-fire testing reported two F-35C pilots each launching an AIM-9X-2 missile from the aircraft against a subscale drone.

Sources: UOTT Completes High-Tempo, Joint Testing on F-35

Carrier Aircraft

Popular Mechanics' F-21 coverage describes the fighter carrying two AIM-9X missiles alongside the AMRAAM loadout.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Lockheed Martin F-21, Multirole fighter aircraft proposal, Aircraft & UAVsLockheed Martin F-21Multirole fighter

Popular Mechanics reports that the F-21 promo video shows two AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles alongside the AMRAAM loadout.

Sources: Why There's a New American Fighter Called the F-21

Aeronaves de lanzamiento

El Cuerpo de Marines informó que el F-35B disparó un AIM-9X real durante un ensayo de patrulla aérea de combate defensiva.

Firing weaponWeapon typeFiring evidence
F-35B Lightning II, STOVL stealth multirole fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-35B Lightning IICaza furtivo polivalente STOVL

El Cuerpo de Marines dijo que el F-35B portó y empleó un AIM-9X Sidewinder real durante un ensayo de patrulla aérea de combate, marcando el primer disparo operativo real del misil desde un F-35B en la región del Indo-Pacífico.

Sources: Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II completes simulated defensive combat air patrol with live AIM-9X missile

Timeline

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder Key Events

  1. Primer vuelo

    Air & Space Forces registra el primer vuelo del AIM-9X en julio de 1999.

    Sources: AIM-9 Sidewinder Archives | Air & Space Forces Magazine

  2. Aprobado para producción

    NAVAIR informó que el AIM-9X Sidewinder fue aprobado para producción tras la revisión del Defense Acquisition Board.

    Sources: AIM-9X approved for production - NAVAIR

  3. Entrada en servicio en Estados Unidos

    Air & Space Forces lista noviembre de 2003 como la fecha de capacidad operativa inicial del AIM-9X.

    Sources: AIM-9 Sidewinder Archives | Air & Space Forces Magazine

  4. Aprobación de producción a plena cadencia

    NAVAIR anunció que el AIM-9X había sido aprobado para producción a plena cadencia el 15 de mayo de 2004.

    Sources: AIM-9X Sidewinder Approved For Full-Rate Production - NAVAIR

  5. El Block II alcanza la producción a plena cadencia

    NAVAIR informó que el AIM-9X Block II alcanzó el hito de producción a plena cadencia el 17 de agosto de 2015.

    Sources: Air-to-air missile reaches production milestone - NAVAIR

  6. Capacidad operativa inicial del Block II

    Air & Space Forces lista septiembre de 2016 como la fecha de capacidad operativa inicial del AIM-9X Block II.

    Sources: AIM-9 Sidewinder Archives | Air & Space Forces Magazine

  7. Entrega número 10,000

    NAVAIR aceptó la entrega del AIM-9X Sidewinder número 10,000 para la Fuerza Aérea de Estados Unidos el 27 de mayo de 2021.

    Sources: Air-to-Air Missiles Takes Delivery of 10,000th AIM-9X - NAVAIR

Media

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder Videos

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder Images

Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder, Misil aire-aire de corto alcance, Municiones - view 1
Source: AIM-9X-F18E 080414-N-7981E-106
Misil AIM-9X Sidewinder, Misil aire-aire de corto alcance, Municiones - view 2
Source: F-22 test fires AIM-9X.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, Short-range air-to-air missile family, MunitionsMunitionsAIM-9 Sidewinder missileShort-range air-to-air missile familyThe AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile family that began at Naval Ordnance Test Station China Lake and entered service in the 1950s. The family spans early rear-aspect missiles, all-aspect AIM-9L/M models, German AIM-9L/I modernization, export P-series rounds, and the modern AIM-9X branch, with documented use from Vietnam and Middle East air wars to Falklands, Gulf War, Ukraine air-defense aid, and Red Sea operations.
AIM-120C/D AMRAAM air-to-air missile, Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, MunitionsMunitionsAIM-120C/D AMRAAM air-to-air missileBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missileThe AIM-120C/D AMRAAM is the clipped-fin United States beyond-visual-range missile branch used from fighter aircraft and, without changing the missile, as the baseline interceptor in NASAMS. RTX describes AMRAAM as a dual-role air-to-air and surface-launch weapon; direct conflict sources document Ukrainian NASAMS AMRAAM support and later AIM-120C-8 wreckage reporting, Saudi AIM-120 use against Houthi drones, and AIM-120C-5 wreckage from the 2019 India-Pakistan air engagement.
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetCarrier-capable multirole strike fighterBoeing's F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a U.S. Navy carrier-capable multirole strike fighter developed from the Hornet family for fleet air defense, escort, interdiction, close air support, aerial refueling, suppression of enemy air defenses, and day/night precision strike. The single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18F anchor carrier air wings through Block II and Block III upgrades, with documented U.S. Navy use in Afghanistan drawdown support, Operation Inherent Resolve, the Red Sea crisis, Somalia strikes, and U.S. operations against Iran.
EA-18G Growler, Carrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraft, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareEA-18G GrowlerCarrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraftThe EA-18G Growler is a Boeing-built electronic attack derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, fielded to jam, detect, and attack hostile radars, communications, and air-defense networks while retaining missile carriage for suppression missions. U.S. Navy and Australian Growlers provide carrier or land-based electronic warfare support, with early combat deployment in Iraq and Libya in 2010-2011 and later documented use in 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve, Red Sea operations against Houthi forces, and the U.S.-Iran strike context.

Sources

RAAF Flies F-35As in Beast Mode for the First TimePublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports F-35 AIM-9X employment context. | Accessed: 2026-06-28AIM-9X Sidewinder | NAVAIRPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AIM-9X Sidewinder specifications, manufacturer, and general background context. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Weapons load crew arms F-15E Strike EaglePublisher: U.S. Air Forces Central | Note: Supports the F-15E Strike Eagle carriage of an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile during weapons loading at Al Dhafra Air Base. | Accessed: 2026-06-28AIM-9X SIDEWINDER Missile | Raytheon - RTXPublisher: RTX | Note: Supports modern aircraft compatibility, surface-launch use without modifications, Block II upgrades, and NASAMS context. | Accessed: 2026-06-27UOTT Completes High-Tempo, Joint Testing on F-35Publisher: Lockheed Martin F-35 | Note: Supports AIM-9X-2 live-fire testing from F-35C aircraft during operational testing. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Acquisition Standards Can Be a Two-Way StreetPublisher: Naval Aviation News | Note: 2023 Red Sea Crisis: used by a squadron in the Red Sea supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian, which wanted to carry more AIM-9X missiles on its Super Hornets to bolster capability against Houthi attacks on merchant vessels. | Accessed: 2026-06-21AIM-9X approved for production - NAVAIRPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AIM-9X production approval in September 2000. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AIM-9X Sidewinder Approved For Full-Rate Production - NAVAIRPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AIM-9X full-rate production approval in May 2004. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Air-to-air missile reaches production milestone - NAVAIRPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports AIM-9X Block II reaching the full-rate production milestone in August 2015. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AIM-9 Sidewinder Archives | Air & Space Forces MagazinePublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports AIM-9X first flight in July 1999, November 2003 IOC, September 2016 Block II IOC, and planned production and delivery counts. | Accessed: 2026-06-27FY24 Fact Sheet NAWCWDPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division | Note: 2023 Red Sea Crisis: used by Carrier Air Wing-3 to support an F/A-18 loadout with four AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles to aid combat operations in the Red Sea. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Air-to-Air Missiles Takes Delivery of 10,000th AIM-9X - NAVAIRPublisher: U.S. Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports the 10,000th AIM-9X delivery for the U.S. Air Force on May 27, 2021. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AIM-9X Blk II MSAR, December 31, 2023Publisher: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment) | Note: Supports the AIM-9X Block II average procurement unit cost and the PB 2025 procurement quantity baseline. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AIM-9X Sidewinder.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Navy image page for the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile. | Accessed: 2026-06-21AIM-9X-F18E 080414-N-7981E-106Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Navy image page showing an AIM-9X Sidewinder mounted on an F/A-18F Super Hornet. | Accessed: 2026-06-21F-22 test fires AIM-9X.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Public-domain U.S. Air Force image page showing an AIM-9X test fire from an F-22. | Accessed: 2026-06-21Why There's a New American Fighter Called the F-21Publisher: Popular Mechanics | Note: Supports the F-21 promotional-video carriage of AIM-9X missiles alongside the AMRAAM loadout. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II completes simulated defensive combat air patrol with live AIM-9X missilePublisher: U.S. Marine Corps | Note: Supports the F-35B carriage and live firing of AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. | Accessed: 2026-06-28