The AIM-7 Sparrow is a semi-active radar guided missile. This missile was used mainly on F-15 and F-14. One of the first versions of the Sparrow the AIM-7F was one of the first missiles to use solid-state electronics rather then small vacuum tubes. This dramatically decreased the size and made more room for engines available. This room was filled with a new dual-thrust booster/sustained rocket engine. This new engine gave the range of the missile a huge boost from around 14-16 miles to 28-30 miles during a head-on engagement. Another version of the Sparrow was the AIM-7M that introduced a inverse-processed digital monopulse seeker that made the Sparrow harder to jam and detect was introduced in1982.
Later the AIM-7P was given improved guidance technology and an on-board computer based on VLSIC technology that gave it higher precision and allowing it to intercept small targets like cruise missiles.
| Length | 12 feet |
|---|---|
| Launch weight | 500 pounds |
| Warhead | 85 pound high explosive blast fragmentation warhead |
Fin alignment | Two sets of delta-shaped fins and a set of fixed fins at the rear of the missile. Also most importantly a set of movable fins in the middle that are used to steer the missile to the target. |
The sidewinder dates back to 1956 but there has been many upgrades over the years. The Sidewinder tracks its target through the heat of the planes exhaust. The AIM-9J version of the Sidewinder introduced the Sidewinder Expanded Acquisition Mode which enabled the missile to lock onto the enemy without being directly behind it like the previous versions. It still had to be fired near the enemy's tail though to track the heat. The AIM-9L version of the Sidewinder was the first to be able to lock onto an enemy if it was fired head-on. The pilot no longer had to get behind the target to get a lock.
The AIM-9M is the only sidewinder still in operation. The AIM-9M has the all aspect tracking of the AIM-9L as well as improved defense against infrared countermeasures like flares. The AIM-9M also uses a rocket motor that gives off less smoke then the previous versions thus decreasing the chances of the target detecting the missile as it attacks.
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is the most common used Air-to-Air Missile excluding the Soviet Union with over 110,000 produced.
| Primary Function | Air to air missile |
|---|---|
| Manufacter | Raytheon Co. |
| Engines | Thiokol Hercules and Bermite MK 36 Mod 11; single stage, solid propellant. |
| Guidance System | infared homing system. |
| Cost | 41,300 dollars |
| Length | 9.4 feet |
| Fin span | 25 inches |
| Diameter | 5 inches |
| Launch weight | 180 pounds |
| Range | 10 miles |
| Warhead | weighs 21 pounds |
| Fin alignment | The four canard fins in the front are used to steer the missile while the four rear fins provide roll stability |
| Deployment date | 1956 |
After 1991 the Sparrow began to be replaced by the Hughes AIM-120 AMRAAM (stands for Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) which is called a "fire and forget" type missile. The advantage the AIM-120 has over the AIM-7 Sparrow is that in order for the Sparrow to hit the target the pilot that fired the missile had to keep his radar locked onto the plane until it hit the enemy. With AIM-120 AMRAAM the pilot can just lock onto the enemy plane fire the missile and then turn his attention to a different plane while the missile itself illuminates the target with its own radar. The internal computer can even change frequencies on the radar to compensate for jamming.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM began its development when the U.S Air Force offered a contract for the construction of an air-to-air missile to five competing contractors. In February 1979 the Air Force choose two of the five to continue working, Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Co..
The next 33-month phase involved the development of the actual hardware for the missiles. The program phase ended in December 1981 when the two contractors showed their test missiles could satisfy Air Force and Navy requirements. The Air Force chose Hughes Aircraft Co. as the winner of the contract for building the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
| Primary Function: | Medium range, air-to-air missile |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer: | Hughes and Raytheon |
| Cost: | 386,000 dollars |
| Engine: | Directed rocket motor |
| Length: | 11.97 feet |
| Diameter: | 7 inches (17.78 centimeters) |
| Wingspan: | 20.7 inches |
| Launch Weight: | 355 pounds (150.75 kg) |
| Warhead: | 48 pound high explosive directed fragmentation warhead |
| Speed: | Mach 4 |
| Range: | 35 to 45 miles |
| Aircraft that use the AIM-120: Air Force: Nato: | F-14D and F/A-18 F-15 and F-16 German F-4, Sea Harrier, and British Tornado |
Holds 940 rounds
| Primary function | Long range intercept missile |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Co. |
| Unit Cost | 477,131 dollars |
| Engine | Solid propellant rocket motor built by Hercules |
| Length | 13 feet (3.9 meters) |
| Weight | 1,024 pounds (460.8 kg) |
| Diameter | 15 inches (38.1 cm) |
| Wingspan | 3 feet (.9 meters) |
| Range | 100 nautical miles (184 km) |
| Speed | Over 3,000 mph (4,800 km/h) |
| Guidance system | Semi-active and active radar homing |
| Warhead weight | 135 pounds (60.75 kg) |
| Deployment date | 1974 |
The AGM-84D Harpoon is used in all different weather conditions to destroy enemy ships. The Harpoon is used by the United States Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard. The Harpoon is effective because of it radar guidance and low altitude cruise trajectory.
The Harpoon can be launched from other ships, submarines or from aircraft. It has also been modified so it can be mounted on the Air Force B-52G bombers which can hold up to 12 Harpoon missiles.
| Primary Function | Air, surface or submarine launched anti-ship missile |
|---|---|
| Manufacter | McDonnell Douglas |
| Cost | 720,000 dollars |
| Guidance System | Altitude monitored by a radar altimeter while the missile seeks the target with active radar terminal homing. |
| Engine | Teledyne Turbojet and solid propellant booster. |
| Thrust | 660 lb. ( 595 kg) |
| Length Air launched version Sub and Ship launched version | 12 feet,7 inches (3.79 meters) 15 feet (4.55 meters) |
| Weight Air launched version Sub and Ship launched version | 1,145 pounds (515.25 kg) 1,470 pounds (661.5 kg) |
| Diameter | 13.5 inches (34.29 cm) |
| Fin Span | 3 feet (91.44 cm) |
| Range | Over 60 nautical miles |
| Speed | Just under Mach 1 |
| Warhead type | Penetration high explosive warhead (488 pounds/224 kg) |
| Deployment date | 1985 |
The AGM-88 HARM (High Speed Anti-radiation Missile) is used to find and destroy enemy air defenses that use radar. The HARM finds its target by following the radar emissions emitted by the target. The guidance system is a fixed antenna and a seeker head in the nose of the missile.
The HARM began full production in March 1983. It was used against Libyan target in the Gulf of Sidra in 1986. The Harm was also in Operation Desert Storm.
| Primary Function | Air to surface; attack and destroy enemy radar installations. |
|---|---|
| Manufacter | Texas Instruments |
| Cost | 284,000 dollars |
| Range | Over 80 miles (Over 57 nautical miles; Over 91 km) |
| Speed | Over 760 mph (1,216 km/h) |
| Engines | Thiokol dual-thrust, solid propellant, rocket motor. |
| Length | 13 feet, 8 inches (4.1 meters) |
| Launch Weight | 800 lb. (360 kg) |
| Diameter | 10 inches (25.4 cm) |
| Guidance System | Radar homing |
| Warhead Type | 146 pound (65 kg) Blast fragmentation warhead. |
| Deployment Date | 1985 |