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The three countries, in the order they signed
their LOAs, are Kuwait, Morocco and Jordan, according
to a statement issued Nov 15 at the Dubai Air
Show .
"The AIM-120C-7 provides unparalleled air
combat and air defense capabilities," said
Col. Michael Andersen, commander of the US Air
Force's 328th Armament Systems Group. "By
equipping our allies with the AIM-120C-7 through
the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, the
US government strengthens regional security and
promotes coalition interoperability."
The three countries will receive an undisclosed
quantity of missiles for use in both air-to-air
and air defense missions.
"No other missile in production or in development
can match AMRAAM for lethality, reliability and
overall affordability for the entire life cycle
of the missile," said Jim Knox, Raytheon's
AMRAAM program director. "AMRAAM, in both
the air-to-air and surface-launch applications,
is the weapon of choice to protect the people,
critical infrastructure and resources of our Arab
allies."
AMRAAM gives the warfighter flexibility because
it can be quickly transferred from a fighter aircraft
to a missile launcher to fulfill its air defense
role. Using one missile for two critical missions
gives the warfighter a cost-effective logistics
and maintenance solution.
AIM-120C-7 has been integrated on the US F-16,
F-15, F/A-18, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and Eurofighter
Typhoon aircraft. It is also the baseline missile
for the US Army's Surface Launched-AMRAAM and
the NATO-approved Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air
Missile System.
AMRAAM has more than 1.7 million captive-carry
hours and more than 2,400 live firings.
The missile is on display at the Dubai Air Show.
Raytheon Company, with 2008 sales of $23.2 billion,
is a technology and innovation leader specializing
in defense, homeland security and other government
markets throughout the world. With a history of
innovation spanning 87 years, Raytheon provides
state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems
integration and other capabilities in the areas
of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications
and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range
of mission support services. With headquarters
in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people
worldwide.
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