![]() ![]() and 27 other nations, of which perhaps one percent have been used in combat. The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile in the West, with more than 110,000 missiles produced for the U.S. Its adaptability has kept it in service over newer designs like the AIM-95 Agile and SRAAM that were intended to replace it. This led to all-aspect capabilities in the L version which proved to be an extremely effective weapon during combat in the Falklands War and the Operation Mole Cricket 19 ("Bekaa Valley Turkey Shoot") in Lebanon. Originally a tail-chasing system, early models saw extensive use during the Vietnam War but had a low success rate. This modularity allowed for the introduction of newer seekers and rocket motors, including the AIM-9C variant, which used semi-active radar homing and served as the basis of the AGM-122 Sidearm anti-radar missile. Low-level development started in the late 1940s, emerging in the early 1950s as a guidance system for the modular Zuni rocket. The Soviet K-13 (AA-2 'Atoll'), a reverse-engineered copy of the AIM-9B, was also widely adopted by a number of nations. ![]() Since then, the Sidewinder has proved to be an enduring international success, and its latest variants remain standard equipment in most Western-aligned air forces. The AIM-9 Sidewinder (where "AIM" stands for "Air Intercept Missile") is a short-range air-to-air missile which entered service with the United States Navy in 1956, and subsequently was adopted by the US Air Force in 1964. Air Force: F-15, F-16, F-22, and F-35A.Aircraft, naval vessels, fixed launchers, and ground vehicles Platforms: Navy/USMC: A/V-8B, F/A-18C/D/E/F/G Hornet and Super Hornet, F-35B/C. Wingspan: AIM-120A/B 21 inches AIM-120C/D 19 inches Primary Function: Advanced, medium-range, air-to-air tactical missile To date, 41 countries have procured AMRAAM, enriching interoperability, ensuring commonality, and helping sustain strong overall logistic support. SIP 3 for AIM-120D is planned to field in 2022. To pace the threat, the Navy fielded the Advanced Electronic Protection Improvement Program (EPIP) for AIM-120C3-C7 missiles in September 2019 and the System Improvement Program Increment 2 (SIP 2) for AIM-120D in June 2021. The Navy achieved IOC of the latest hardware variant AIM-120D in January 2015. The AIM-120C-7 missile variant reached IOC in FY 2008. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force aircraft. AMRAAM has four variants - the AIM 120A/B/C/D are operational on U.S. The AIM-120 grew out of a joint agreement, no longer in effect, between the United States and several NATO nations to develop air-to-air missiles and to share the production technology. The AIM-120D features improved accuracy via Global Positioning System aided navigation, kinematics, lethality and hardware and software updates to enhance its electronic protection capabilities against more capable threats.Įntering service in September 1993, AMRAAM has evolved to maintain air superiority through pre-planned product improvement programs. Joint procurement of the AIM-120D series began in fiscal 2006 and continues today. The AIM-120C series began deliveries in 1996 and continues for US allies. Once the missile closes in on the target, its active radar guides it to an intercept.ĪMRAAM-equipped fighters can attack several targets simultaneously. The AIM-120 incorporates an active radar in conjunction with an inertial reference unit and microcomputer system, which makes the missile less dependent on the fire-control system of the launching aircraft. ![]() The new missile is faster, smaller, and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low- altitude targets. AMRAAM serves as a follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series. and allied aircraft to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons. The AMRAAM program improves the aerial combat capabilities of U.S. In addition to providing an air- to-air capability, AMRAAM also provides air defense support via surface launch capability. Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and allies of the United States. The AMRAAM is being procured for the U.S. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2050. The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range, Air-to-Air missile is a new generation air-to-air missile. ![]()
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