NAVAIR

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Mission

The Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, short-range air-to-air missile.

AIM-9M Sidewinder

 150607-N-ZZ999-001 PHILIPPINE SEA (June 7, 2015) An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 fires a Sidewinder AIM-9M missile during a missile exercise. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Mike Wilcox /Released)

The Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9M Sidewinder is a supersonic, short-range air-to-air missile developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s. Entering service in 1956, variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces after five decades. The U.S. Air Force purchased the Sidewinder after the missile was developed by the Navy at China Lake, California.

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AIM-9X Sidewinder

 090824-N-6233H-023 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 24, 2009) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Clarence Young inspects an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile before the launch of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington is the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier and is underway supporting security and stability in the western Pacific Ocean on her inaugural summer deployment from Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Rachel N. Hatch/Released)

The Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-9X Sidewinder is the latest of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles carried on a wide range of modern tactical aircraft.

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