AIM-120 AMRAAM
| AIM-120 AMRAAM | |
|---|---|
On display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | |
| Type |
|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | September 1991–present |
| Used by | See Operators |
| Wars | |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Unit cost | US$1,090,000 (AIM-120D FY 2019) |
| 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 | AIM-120A/B 40 nmi (75 km);
AIM-120C 49 nmi (90 km); AIM-120D 70–86 nmi (130–160 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 |
The AIM-120 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".
The AMRAAM largely replaced the AIM-7 Sparrow as the principal beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile in U.S. inventory. As of 2008 more than 14,000 had been produced for the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, and 33 international customers. The AMRAAM has been used in several engagements, achieving 16 air-to-air kills in conflicts over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, and Syria. In the long term, it is expected to eventually be replaced by the long range AIM-260 JATM in U.S. service and the MBDA Meteor in some European countries.