RTX-Built Missile Fired From F-15C Eagle Fighter

Raytheon, an RTX business, and the U.S. Air Force have fired an AIM-120C-8 missile from an F-15C Eagle fighter jet, marking the weapon’s first flight test. The missile is the latest advanced medium-range air-to-air missile developed under the Form, Fit, Function refresh program. 

According to Paul Ferraro, president of air power at Raytheon and a past Potomac Officers Club speaker, the weapon is equipped with advanced hardware and software, enhancing the weapon’s capabilities for U.S. allies.

Model-based systems engineering initiatives and digital technologies were used in the development of the AIM-120C-8 to upgrade multiple circuit cards and improve processors in its guidance section and rehost legacy software, RTX said. The system upgrade and flight test were performed under a $1.15 billion contract the Air Force recently awarded to Raytheon. 

Besides producing the AIM-120C-8, the contract also requires developing the AIM-120D-3. Both missiles are being manufactured for 19 U.S. international partners, including Ukraine.