Navy picks Surmet, Synovix for optical domes to protect infrared sensors on Sidewinder air-to-air missiles

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. – U.S. Navy aerial weapons experts needed optical domes to protect the electro-optical sensors in U.S. AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. They found solutions from Surmet Corp. in Burlington, Mass., and from Synovix Inc. in Huntsville, Ala.

Officials of the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support activity in Mechanicsburg, Pa., announced $48-million multiple-award contract to Surmet and Synovix in late March to manufacture optical domes for the Sidewinder missile.

Electro-optical sensors

Missile optical domes protect electro-optical sensors and transmit optical signals to enable missile guidance systems to see and track their targets, even in harsh conditions like high speeds and atmospheric turbulence.

The dome protects the Sidewinder's infrared sensors and other sensitive components, and shields these subsystems from damage caused by speed, heat, and debris. The dome enables optical signals to pass through and speed the missile to its target. Sapphire is a common material for missile domes because it is hard, resists scratches, and can transmit a wide range of light wavelengths.

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The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking air-to-air missile carried by U.S. and allied combat aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an infrared heat-seeking guidance system. The missile has a cylindrical body with a roll-stabilizing rear wing and rolleron assembly, and detachable double-delta control surfaces behind the nose to improve maneuverability.

The missile's main components are an infrared homing guidance section, an active optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead and a rocket motor.

Infrared guidance

The infrared guidance head enables the missile to home in on target aircraft engine exhaust. This guidance system can be used during the day and at night, and can operate through electronic countermeasures. The infrared seeker enables the pilot to launch the missile, leave, or take evasive action while the missile in flight.

The AIM-9X is the newest variant of Sidewinder uses the same rocket motor and warhead as previous versions. Its guidance section has been redesigned with an imaging infrared seeker, and is compatible with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.

Each contract will run concurrently and will include a five-year base ordering period with no options. Surmet and Synovix will do the work in the Continental U.S., and should be finished by March 2030.

For more information contact Surmet Corp. online at www.surmet.com, Synovix Inc. at www.synovix.com, or the Naval Supply Systems Command Weapon Systems Support-Mechanicsburg at www.navsup.navy.mil/NAVSUP-Enterprise/NAVSUP-Weapon-Systems-Support/Welcome-Mechanicsburg.