AIM-120 AMRAAM
American air-to-air missile / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The AIM-120[lower-alpha 1] Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) (/æmræm/ AM-ram) is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. It uses active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance. When an AMRAAM missile is launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code "Fox Three".[4]
Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
AIM-120 AMRAAM | |
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Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile/surface-to-air missile |
Place of origin | United States |
Service history | |
In service | September 1991 (1991-09)–present |
Used by | See Operators |
Wars | |
Production history | |
Manufacturer | |
Unit cost | US$1,090,000 (AIM-120D FY 2019)[1] |
Variants | AIM-120A, AIM-120B, AIM-120C, AIM-120D, AMRAAM-ER |
Specifications (AIM-120C-5/6/7) | |
Mass | 356 lb (161.5 kg) |
Length | 12 ft (3.65 m) |
Diameter | 7 in (178 mm) |
Wingspan | 1 ft 7 in (484 mm) |
Warhead | High explosive blast-fragmentation |
Warhead weight | 44 lb (20 kg) |
Detonation mechanism | FZU-49 Proximity fuze, impact fuse system |
Engine | Solid-fuel rocket motor |
Operational range | 57–65 nmi (105–120 km); AIM-120D 86–97 nmi (160–180 km) |
Maximum speed | Mach 4 (4,501 ft/s; 1,372 m/s) |
Guidance system | Inertial guidance, terminal active radar homing, optional mid-course update datalink |
Steering system | AIM-120C-5/6/7 40G maximum overload via forward and rear canards |
References | Janes[2] |
Close
As of 2008[update] more than 14,000 had been produced for the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and 33 international customers.[5] The AMRAAM has been used in several engagements, achieving 16 air-to-air kills in conflicts over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, and Syria.[citation needed]