Which missile did America use?
US F-22 fighter aircraft used an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon. The AIM-9X SIDEWINDER is America’s most advanced air-to-air missile. It has been developed by the American arms manufacturer Raytheon. This missile is used by the US Air Force and Navy. This missile uses infrared technology to locate its target. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile is currently in service with the military of more than 24 countries worldwide. It is supplied to NATO member countries and other countries associated with America.
Why was the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile created?
Development of the AIM-9X began as part of a joint US Navy and US Air Force program. The AIM-9X Acquisition Program was initiated to replace the AIM-9M missile. The first test of the AIM-9X missile was done in March 1999. This was followed by 13 separation tests of the missile from the US Navy’s F/A-18 fighter aircraft and the US Air Force’s F-15 fighter aircraft between 1999 and 2000. Since then 12 tests were done regarding missile firing. Following the completion of this test, Raytheon was awarded a contract for limited production of the AIM-9X in November 2000. The missile was given the go-ahead in November 2003 and mass production began in May 2004.
AIM-9X Block II missile made in 2008
The AIM-9X Block II missile was first tested in November 2008. It is also known as AIM-9X-2. This missile is also equipped with lock-on-after-launch technology. The AIM-9X Block II features a redesigned fuse and a unidirectional forward-quarter data-link. The datalink enables it to engage targets beyond visual range. Mass production of the AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II infrared air-to-air missile began in September 2015 following US Navy approval. Raytheon revealed plans in 2018 to increase the range of the AIM-9X Sidewinder by 60%.
How is the design of the AIM-9X Sidewinder
The IM-9X is fitted with an upgraded thrust and vector control airframe. It uses the high performance Staring Focal Plane Array sensor and also integrates components such as the rocket motor, warhead and fuse of the AIM-9M. The digitally designed architecture of this missile can adapt changes for future requirements. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile has a length of 3 m, diameter 12.7 cm, fin span 44.4 cm, wingspan 35.3 cm and weighs approximately 85 kg. It can carry a 9.36 kg Anunar blast fragmentation warhead to a range of over ten miles.
Which fighter aircraft can fire
AIM-9X including E/A-18G, F/A-18C/D, F-15, F-15C, F/A-18E/F, F-15E, F-16, F-22 and F-35 Can be fired from many other fighter aircraft. This missile can also be fired from NASAM, LAU-7 and LAU-12X series launchers.
Know the guidance and navigation system of the missile
The infrared (IR) homing guidance section in the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile provides tracking and navigation. The AIM-9X is a system-guided missile equipped with a mid-wave IR FPA seeker. The AIM-9X Sidewinder missile equipped with the High Off-Boresight (HOBS) can also be fired from a helmet-mounted site. This missile uses passive infrared (IR) energy for target acquisition and tracking. After launch, this missile follows the heat emanating from the engine of the enemy fighter aircraft. IR homing enables the missile to reach the target during day/night and bypassing electronic countermeasures. The missile can engage targets within the Near Beyond Visual Range (NBVR) and Visual Range (WVR) regions.