The U.S. Air Force awarded Raytheon a $412 million contract for Lot 22 production and delivery of the AIM-120C7 and AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles.

The firm fixed price contract will provide the U.S. military with AIM-120D missiles. It will also provide Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers with AIM-120C7 missiles. Delivery is scheduled to begin in 2010 and continue through 2011.

"AMRAAM enables U.S. and allied aviators to handily win the critical fight for air supremacy," said Col. Scott Rumph, commander of the U.S. Air Force's 328th Armament Systems Group.

The AIM-120C7 missile completed operational testing in 2007, and the operational test agency deemed it "effective and suitable." The AIM-120D is currently in developmental testing.

The AIM-120D builds on the combat-proven AMRAAM by adding an improved electronic protection suite, enhanced data link and GPS-aided navigation. The AIM-120C7 is the only version of the AMRAAM available for FMS.

"In addition to the AMRAAM's unmatched capability and reliability, Raytheon provides its customers continuous support and upgrades throughout the missile's life cycle," said Jim Knox, Raytheon Missile Systems' AMRAAM program director. "The U.S. and its allies have demonstrated in recent conflicts that AMRAAM is the cornerstone for establishing air supremacy above the battlefield."

The AMRAAM family of missiles has been in production for more than 20 years. It is operational with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and 33 international customers. More than 16,000 AMRAAMs have been produced. The missile is responsible for nine successful combat intercepts.