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Armed Forces - Royal Air Force - Air-to-air weapons - ASRAAM, SIDEWINDER
AIM - 9L, AMRAAM, METEOR (BVRAAM)
ASRAAM
SIDEWINDER
AIM-9L
AMRAAM
METEOR
(BVRAAM)
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ASRAAM
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ASRAAM
is a fast, highly agile, fire and forget IR missile for short
range air-to-air combat, able to counter intermittent target
obscurity in cloud and severe Infra-Red countermeasures.
It is carried on Tornado F3, Harrier GR7/9, and the Typhoon. It will replace
Sidewinder AIM-9L albeit that this will remain in service in
parallel for a period.
The programme cost some £857m. There were considerable
technical problems and delays before service entry in 2002.
ASRAAM
Specifications
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Length
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2.9m
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Diameter
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0.17m
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Weight
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88kg
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Cruising
speed |
Mach
3.5+ |
Range |
over
10 miles |
Guidance
Imaging |
IR
128 x 128 element focal plane array |
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SIDEWINDER
AIM-9L
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The Sidewinder missile, which
is carried by all the RAF combat aircraft as well as the
Hawk and Nimrod MR2, is an infra-red weapon which homes
onto the heat emitted by a hostile aircraft's engines.
Sidewinder can operate independently of the aircraft's
radar, and provides the air-defence aircraft with an
alternative method of attacking targets at shorter ranges.
Sidewinder has an excellent dogfight capability.
SIDEWINDER AIM-9L
Specifications
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Diameter
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0.13m
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Span
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0.63m
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Length
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2.85m
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Total Weight
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85.3kg
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Warhead Weight
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9.5kg
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Propulsion
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Solid fuel rocket
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Speed
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Mach 2.5
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Range
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10-18km
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Guidance
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Solid-state, infrared homing system
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AMRAAM
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AMRAAM (Advanced
medium-range air to air missile) is a US air fighting
weapon that matches the fire and forget capability of
the ASRAAM, but with greater range.
There is increased immunity over electronic
countermeasures and a low smoke, high-impulse rocket
motor to reduce the probability of an enemy sighting the
missile.
This system is in use by Tornado F3, and will be used by
the Typhoon.
AMRAAM has been in service with the Fleet
Air Arm since 1995, and the initial purchase was
believed to be some 210 missiles worth some £50m. In 2004 Raytheon Missile
Systems was awarded an £80 million contract by the UK
MoD for the AIM-120 C5 variant. Having entered service
in 2007 the new missile, includes a greater immunity to
countermeasures, longer range and a more powerful
warhead. The C model has replaced the earlier B model.
AMRAAM
Specifications
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Length
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3.66m
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Diameter
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0.18m
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Span
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0.48m
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Weight
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161.4kg/336
lbs |
Cruising speed
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Mach 4 |
Range
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approx 30
miles |
Guidance System
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Active
radar terminal/inertial midcourse
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Photo
Courtesy of Raytheon
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METEOR
(BVRAAM)
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The Beyond Visual Range
Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) (also known as Meteor)
should provide Typhoon with the capability to combat
projected air-to-air threats and sustain air
superiority throughout the life of the aircraft.
The weapon is required to operate in all weather
conditions and will complement the Typhoon Advanced
Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM). Until
Meteor enters service, Typhoon will be armed with
the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).
Meteor is a collaborative programme with 5 partner
nations; Germany, Spain and Italy (for Typhoon),
Sweden (for JAS 39 Gripen) and France (for Rafale).
The UK MoD expects a fully developed missile
standard ready for delivery and platform integration
in 2012 and the first front-line Typhoon unit
declared Meteor capable in 2015. The overall cost is
projected at £1.4 billion.
Photo Copyright BAe Systems |
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