The US Navy has successfully completed the first guided launch of the new Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile at China Lake. The missile was fired from a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet fighter and intercepted a McDonnell Douglas QF-4 drone. The launch was the first of 40 guided test firings scheduled to be completed by the end of 2001. Three separation and control launches have been made, including the first from a US Air Force Boeing F-15 Eagle.
Source: Flight International