The Pentagon had initiated a Form Fit Function Refresh program to replace obsolescence parts in the guidance section of the AIM-120 air-to-air missile earlier this year. Defense News is now reporting that manufacturer Raytheon is having issues with the development of a new processor.
By: Senior Airman Mark Hoyt, U.S. Air Force [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The specific component is a application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that will run the missile’s software.
The issue is serious enough that the Air Force and Navy have both curtailed their planned buy of the missiles for fiscal year 2018.
A company executive says a fix has been found and everything is on track.