Morocco Orders AIM-9X Sidewinder Missile

[Darth Vader]

The Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. government executed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to purchase Raytheon’s AIM-9X Block II missile. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is the world’s 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile and will be the fourth country with the AIM-9X Block II.
The AIM-9X Block II adds a redesigned fuze that offers a lock-on-after-launch and datalink capability to the AIM-9X Block I. The AIM-9X Block II missile is in the operational testing phase; Raytheon is currently producing AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles.
“The AIM-9X Block II brings enhanced capability to the RMAF that will enhance security in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Capt. John Martins, U.S. Navy Air-to-Air Missile program manager. “This sale is a win for both the U.S. and Moroccan warfighters because it enhances coalition air combat operations and also reduces the unit cost of the AIM-9X Block II missile through economies of scale.”
Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RMAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles for Morocco’s F-16 fighter aircraft.
“This is the latest chapter of Raytheon’s more than half a century commitment to the Middle East and North Africa,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air Warfare Systems product line. “More than 400 Raytheon employees and suppliers have built and delivered more than 4,000 AIM-9X Block I missiles for the U.S. and our allies worldwide.”
The Royal Moroccan Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. The weapon is currently integrated on the F/A-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
About the AIM-9X Block II
Raytheon has more than 10 years of continuous on-time delivery of AIM-9X.
AIM-9X Block II is in full-rate production.
AIM-9X reliability is approaching three times the required mean time between failure.
Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.

 

[BLACKEAGLE]

Royal Moroccan Air Force

1- 100
Mirage F1EH
Mirage F1CH

2- 52
F-16C/D other 76 on order.

3- 150
F-5 A/B/E/F

 

[Qasibr]

That is a sizable and impressive inventory.

All US-origin though. It was recently reported how Turkish F-16s were finally capable of targeting Israeli aircraft, after Turkey successfully designed and developed their own IFF(Identify Friend/Foe) devices. Even if just for deterrent purposes, these aircraft should be capable of targeting all potential adversaries, including the IAF.

The AIM-9X is a very impressive missile, HOBS-capable and all. But I'm not sure if it will be capable of targeting all adversaries if worst came to worst? We're living in very volatile times, especially the Muslim countries in the Middle-East&Africa.

 

[Zarvan]

The Kingdom of Morocco and the U.S. government executed a letter of offer and acceptance (LOA) to purchase Raytheon’s AIM-9X Block II missile. The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF) is the world’s 10th country to employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder infrared-guided, air-to-air missile and will be the fourth country with the AIM-9X Block II.
The AIM-9X Block II adds a redesigned fuze that offers a lock-on-after-launch and datalink capability to the AIM-9X Block I. The AIM-9X Block II missile is in the operational testing phase; Raytheon is currently producing AIM-9X Block II captive air training missiles.
“The AIM-9X Block II brings enhanced capability to the RMAF that will enhance security in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Capt. John Martins, U.S. Navy Air-to-Air Missile program manager. “This sale is a win for both the U.S. and Moroccan warfighters because it enhances coalition air combat operations and also reduces the unit cost of the AIM-9X Block II missile through economies of scale.”
Under the agreement, the U.S. government will provide the RMAF an undisclosed quantity of tactical and training AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles for Morocco’s F-16 fighter aircraft.
“This is the latest chapter of Raytheon’s more than half a century commitment to the Middle East and North Africa,” said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems’ Air Warfare Systems product line. “More than 400 Raytheon employees and suppliers have built and delivered more than 4,000 AIM-9X Block I missiles for the U.S. and our allies worldwide.”
The Royal Moroccan Air Force joins the air forces of Australia, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey and the United States as AIM-9X users. The weapon is currently integrated on the F/A-18 Hornet, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon.
About the AIM-9X Block II
Raytheon has more than 10 years of continuous on-time delivery of AIM-9X.
AIM-9X Block II is in full-rate production.
AIM-9X reliability is approaching three times the required mean time between failure.
Raytheon Company, with 2011 sales of $25 billion and 71,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass.

Morroco first should have around 150 F-16 of planes of same level and should replace its F-1 and F-5 Planes as soon as possible because it has old issues with Spain and also Algeria and in case of war with both of these countries Morrocan Air Force can't defend its country with these old planes

 

[Zarvan]

Royal Moroccan Air Force

1- 100
Mirage F1EH
Mirage F1CH

2- 52
F-16C/D other 76 on order.

3- 150
F-5 A/B/E/F

Sir as per my information only 24 F-16 are on order not 76 Why you said that 76 are on order ?

 

[BelligerentPacifist]

That is a sizable and impressive inventory.
All US-origin though....

I thought their mainstay fighter was the Mirage F1, and the falcons were only bought when the French themselves screwed up their own Rafale deal.

 

[Gin ka Pakistan]

Morocco is a brotherly nation , good to see its Air Muscles

 

[Zarvan]

Royal Moroccan Air Force receives F 16s .Le Maroc recoit ses premiers F16.by Far-Maroc.forumpro - YouTube

 

[BLACKEAGLE]

Sir as per my information only 24 F-16 are on order not 76 Why you said that 76 are on order ?

I got the info from Arabic Wikipedia, the info could be inaccurate.

 

[Audio]

This is Mirage 2000.