Air Force asks Raytheon to upgrade AMRAAM air-to-air missile to mitigate effects of component obsolescence
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – U.S. Air Force airborne weapons experts are asking RTX Corp. to upgrade computer processors in variants of the Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM) to mitigate the effects and risks of component obsolescence.
Officials of the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center at Robins Air Force Base, Ga., announced a $92 million contract last week to the RTX Raytheon segment in Tucson, Ariz., for the processor upgrade for mission alliance risk reduction project.
AMRAAM C-8 and D-3 versions
This contract asks RTX Raytheon to reduce risk of integrating AMRAAM C-8 and D-3 variants. The contract is awarded to RTX Raytheon sole-source, because the company is considered the only responsible contractor for the job.
The AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 are international variants of AMRAAM for air-to-air and surface-to-air missions. These AMRAAM versions have 15 upgraded circuit cards in their missile guidance sections and have the capability to upgrade future software continuously.
AMRAAM entered service in 1991 and will be augmented and eventually replaced by the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) from Lockheed Martin Corp. JATM will be able to deal with the Chinese PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile.
On this contract, Raytheon will handle test and support equipment, and diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) purchases. Efforts will include identifying, resolving, and mitigating obsolescence issues. Raytheon will do the work in Tucson, Ariz., and should be finished by August 2027.
For more information contact RTX Raytheon online at www.rtx.com/raytheon, or the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center at www.aflcmc.af.mil.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
