Lockheed Martin - F-35A Stealth Fighter First AIM-120 AMRAAM Launch Test [720p]
An
F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft completed the first in-flight missile launch of an
AIM-120 over the
Point Mugu Sea
Test Range, June 5
2013.
It was the first launch where the
F-35 and AIM-120 demonstrated a successful launch-to-eject communications sequence and fired the rocket motor after launch -- paving the way for targeted launches.
Hear from the pilot of the mission.
AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range
Air-to-Air Missile (
AMRAAM).
Description
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range, Air-to-Air missile is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond
2020. The AMRAAM is being procured for the
U.S. Navy,
Air Force and allies of the
United States. In addition to providing an air-to-air capability, AMRAAM also provides air defense support.
Features
The AMRAAM program improves the aerial combat capabilities of
U.S. and allied aircraft to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons. AMRAAM serves as a follow-on to the
AIM-7 Sparrow missile series.
The new missile is faster, smaller, and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low-altitude targets. The AIM-120 incorporates an active radar in conjunction with an inertial reference unit and microcomputer system, which makes the missile less dependent on the fire-control system of the launching aircraft.
Once the missile closes in on the target, its active radar guides it to an intercept. AMRAAM-equipped fighters can attack several targets simultaneously.
Deliveries of the
AIM-120B version began in
1994 and ended in
1995.
AIM-120C series began deliveries in
1996 and continue thru the present.
Joint procurement of the AMRAAM continues with the
AIM-120D version starting in fiscal
2006, which features improved navigation, kinematics, lethality and hardware and software updates to enhance its electronic protection capabilities against more capable threats.