CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- In late January, several Letterkenny Munitions Center (LEMC) employees received certification to maintain the AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile.
Four members of LEMC's Joint Missile Systems team received two weeks of classroom and hands-on training to earn their AIM-9X Sidewinder Subject Matter Expert Missile Maintenance and Sectionalization certification. Two technicians from Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona traveled to LEMC to provide the training.
LEMC certified technicians can now perform visual inspection, sectionalization, testing and maintenance of the AIM-9X and its components, as well as the same on the captive air training missile (CATM-9X), which is the training version of the missile. Additionally, they will train other LEMC technicians on the platform.
"It's great to finally see the AIM-9X missile system coming on board at LEMC," said Brent Brooks, Production Controller, Letterkenny Munitions Center. "The training provided over those two weeks is a large step to getting the life cycle maintenance plan off the ground for the AIM-9X program here at LEMC."
The AIM-9X is the latest missile in the AIM-9 missile family and is a tactical air-to-air missile used by the U.S. Air Force and Navy. While the AIM-9X certification is new, LEMC performs inspection, maintenance and testing on other air-to-air missiles including the AIM-9M.
Given current and future requirements, LEMC expects to begin AIM-9X missile maintenance, along with AIM-9X container maintenance, in 2020.
"The AIM-9X is truly a joint missile program; meeting Air Force, Navy, USMC and U.S. Army warfighting requirements," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey J. Ignatowski, LEMC Commander. "Bringing the program sustainment phase of the program's life cycle to the organic industrial base ensures not only warfighting readiness for the services, but also brings best value for the Department of Defense."
LEMC is located on Letterkenny Army Depot and conducts regional and global distribution of munitions, provides missile maintenance, and conducts demilitarization of munitions for the U.S. Army in support of Joint Forces and international partner nations.
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