AIM-120D AMRAAM Missile

AMRAAM is an all-weather, longer range ( i.e. beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile with
the following characteristics:

* the missile is faster and lighter than previous air-to-ait missiles
* it has improved capabilities against low-altitude targets
* it incorporates a datalink to guide the missile to an intercept point
* terminal missile guidance is provided by its own active radar
* it is a fire-and -forget weapon
* the missile also features the passive ability to "home on jamming"
* it improves the aerial combat capabilities of US and allied aircraft
* it serves as a follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series

AMRAAM uses two-stage guidance when fired at long range. The aircraft passes
data to the missile just before launch, giving it information about the location of
the target aircraft from the launch point and its direction and speed. The missile
uses this information to fly on an interception course to the target using its built-in
inertial navigation system (INS). Updated target information is generally obtained
using one of the following sources:

* via the launching aircraft's radar data link
* via a data link from another fighter aircraft
* via an AWACS aircraft data link
* via an infrared search and tracker

The AIM-120D is an upgraded version of the AMRAAM with improvements in
almost all areas, including 50% greater range and better guidance over its entire
flight envelope yielding an improved kill probability.The range of the AIM-120D is
classified, but is thought to extend to about 100 miles (160 km).

General Characteristics: AIM-120D AMRAAM Missile

Contractor:
* Raytheon Company

Type:
* medium to long range air-to-air missile

Propulsion:
* solid-fuel rocket motor

Length:
* Length 12 feet (3.7 meters)

Diameter:
* 7 inches (180 mm)

Weight:
* 335 pounds (152 kg)

Range:
* AIM-120A/B 55–75 km (30–40 nmi)
* AIM-120D >160 km (>100 miles)

Speed:
* Mach 4 (4,900 km/h; 3,045 mph)

Warhead:
* high explosive blast-fragmentation

Detonation Mechanism
* active radar Target Detection Device (TDD)

Guidance System:
* inertial guidance
* terminal active radar homing

Launch Platforms:

Aircraft
* Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
* British Aerospace Hawk 200
* Eurofighter Typhoon
* General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
* KAI FA-50 Golden Eagle
* Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor
* Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
* McDonnell Douglas AV-8B+ Harrier II
* McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
* McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
* McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle
* McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
* Northrop F-5 S/T
* Panavia Tornado ADV
* Sea Harrier FA2
* Saab JAS 39 Gripen

Surface
* NASAMS and others

AIM-120 AMRAAM Missile Development Video

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