AIM-120 AMRAAM American Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
AIM-120
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Basic Information
Name
AIM-120 AMRAAM American Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Designation
AIM-120
Alternate Designation
—
Equipment Type
—
Manufacturer
—
Date of Introduction
1991
Description
AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation all-weather, missile manufactured by Raytheon. The AMRAAM is in service with the US Air Force (USAF), US Navy (USN), and US-allied nations. The AMRAAM has been delivered to more than 36 countries. The missile has completed over 1.8 million captive-carry hours and 2,900 live firings. It is integrated with combat aircraft such as the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4, and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. It is also used by the Surface-Launched AMRAAM of the US Army and NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System).
Variants
AIM-120B
This was a follow-on to the baseline AIM-120. The missile is fitted with a new signal processor, advanced active radar terminal seeker and reprogrammable EPROM signal processor. The first AIM-120B rounds became operational in early 1994.
AIM-120C
This upgrade featured clipped wings and fins to allow internal stowage aboard the F-22 and improved lethality with the fit of a larger warhead. Phase 3 of the upgrade program involved developing enhanced kinematics.
AIM-120D
The AIM-120D consists of an improved seeker head and greater jamming resistance. Major upgrades include a two-way data link for greater hit probability and flexibility in multiple aircraft situations; better navigation; improved high-angle off boresight to give the missile a wider target seeking cone and a larger no-escape envelope; and a 50 percent increase in range. The AIM-120D is a joint Air Force/Navy project.
AMRAAM-ER
This is an extended-range interceptor designed for the NASAMS surface-launched air defense system. The missile essentially combines the front section of the AIM-120 with the rocket motor and thrust-vector controls of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM ) to increase range to more than 25 mi (40 km) at an altitude of 45,000 ft (13,720 m).
System
AIM-120 AMRAAM Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Name
AIM-120 AMRAAM
Type
Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile
Manufacturer
Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Ariz.
Length
3.66 m
Diameter
178 mm
Wingspan
0.53 m
Tails Span
0.63 m
Missile Weight
151 kg
Warhead Type
conventional high-explosive
Warhead Weight
22 kg
Engine
1 x Hercules high-thrust, reduced-smoke, solid-fuel boost-sustain rocket motor
Maximum Speed
Mach 4
Maximum Range
50 km
Minimum Range
2 km
Tracking System
Track-while-scan (TWS) multiple-target tracking radar; inertial reference for each AMRAAM before launch; Nortronics mid-course updates to AMRAAM during flight.
Guidance System
Hughes I/J-band pulse-Doppler active radar w/pulse compression and programmable waveforms
Image Sources
Notes
https://sinopakmilitaryforumzs.quora.com/With-Chinese-PL-15-12-C-D-MBDA-Meteor-making-headlines-The-US-Upgrades-its-BVR-capability-as-Live-Firing-of-AIM-1; https://www.airmanmagazine.af.mil/Features/Display/Article/2576572/a-spartan-death/; https://www.militaryaerospace.com/computers/article/16726281/raytheon-continues-work-to-extend-life-of-amraam-missile-into-2020s-with-guidance-system-redesign;
Details
Country of Origin
United States
Category
Air-to-Air Missiles
Air > Air-to-Air Missiles
Filter Label
A
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Operators (37)
China
United States
Germany
United Kingdom
Israel
Italy
Japan
South Korea
Poland
Turkey
Pakistan
Czech Republic
Spain
Australia
Bahrain
Belgium
Canada
Chile
Denmark
Finland
Greece
Hungary
Jordan
Kuwait
Malaysia
Morocco
Netherlands
Norway
Oman
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Switzerland
Thailand
United Arab Emirates
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