On August 31, 2023, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) granted Raytheon Missiles and Defense a $192 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the acquisition of Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). This contract marks a pivotal moment in the U.S.’ ongoing military support for Ukraine, particularly in light of the forthcoming deployment of F-16 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force.
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, colloquially known as the “Slammer,” is a medium-range missile equipped with an active radar guidance system. Depending on the specific model, its operational range varies from 75 to 160 km. The AIM-120C-8 version of the AMRAAM comes with an advanced radar guidance system, allowing it to track and engage aerial targets at considerable distances.