Pentagon this week has informed Congress it plans to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) to Japan, according to Defense Security Cooperation Agency.
On August 26, the DSCA announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan of thirty-two AIM-120C-8 missiles with support for an estimated cost of $63 million.
“The Government of Japan has requested to buy thirty-two (32) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM and one (1) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM guidance section spare,” the agency said in a statement. “Also included are containers, support and support equipment, spare and repair parts, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistical support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support.”
The prime contractor will be Raytheon Missile Systems of Tucson, AZ.
AMRAAM is a radar-guided, air-to-air missile with capability in both the beyond visual-range and within visual-range arenas. A single-launch aircraft can engage multiple targets with multiple missiles simultaneously when using AMRAAM.
According to Raytheon, AMRAAM is the world’s most sophisticated, combat-proven air dominance weapon. With more than 30 years of design, upgrades, testing and production, the AIM-120 missile continues to meet warfighter requirements in all weather and beyond visual range. Its capabilities have been fully demonstrated in over 4,800 test shots and more than 10 air-to-air combat victories.