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New AMRAAM the set for USAF service entry plus other toys

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posted on Oct, 3 2007 @ 06:58 PM
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The latest uprgade to the AMRAAM or Aim-120 the "C-7" model is set for service entry. Once the follow on (the 120-D) is finished testing it will be released for foreign sales and the the "D" variant will the current USAF standard and the C-7 will be released for foreign purchases.

The C-7 has improved, hardeded electronics, along with an upgraded radar seeker making it more accurate
The D model will feature a GPS unit for more precision (its expected to be fielded in 2010)

The HARM missile will also be getting a GPS which allows it to strike a target even if the radar is turned off.

www.aviationnow.com.../awst_xml/2007/10 /01/AW_10_01_2007_p28-12085.xml&headline=U.S.+Air+Force+Amraam+Nears+Service+Entry



posted on Oct, 3 2007 @ 09:04 PM
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Blasted subscription... !
Anyway I was under the impression (from several credible and up to date sources) that the AIM-120C-7 had already entered into limited service (LRIP/IOC) as of late 2006 and that it is now reaching full integration into service. According to the same sources the AIM-120D is scheduled to enter limited service (again LRIP/IOC) from the end of 2007 until early 2009 with full production and large scale service after that.

As for the AARGM, it is scheduled to enter Low Rate Initial Production in 2008, and be fielded in 2009.

As for the capabilities of the AIM-120C-7/D and AARGM… well, you left some of the more exciting capabilities out…

The set of features which lead us to the AARGM began to be shortly developed and implemented in incremental block upgrades almost immediately after the Kosovo/Serbian. This conflict highlighted some shortcoming in the HARM fleet which limited their effectiveness on the battlefield.


The next upgrade was a software update only, called Block V when applied to the AGM-88C Block IV, and Block IIIA, when applied to the older AGM-88B Block III. This update introduced home-on-jam capability, including the option to home on jammers which try to disrupt the ever more important GPS navigation system (used by many of the latest guided weapons). The U.S. Navy began to upgrade its HARMs to Block IIIA/V standard in early 2000. Block IIIA/V also allows the AGM-88B/C to be safely reprogrammed at sea.

Source



The latest upgrade effort for HARM is known as Block VI, an international collaboration by the U.S. (Raytheon), Germany (BGT), and Italy (Alenia). The main improvement of HARM Block VI is the incorporation of a GPS navigation system. This greatly increases accuracy when radar lock is lost after emitter switch-off, because the GPS guidance keeps the missile within a narrow box towards the last known emitter position. This is especially desirable in wars, where enemy radar installations are deliberately placed near sensitive civilian areas, like schools or hospitals. This often prevented the use of earlier HARM missiles in the Kosovo campaign, because a deviation after radar loss could lead to unacceptable collateral damage. Using GPS guidance as a primary means of homing on the target, Block VI HARMs could even be used as general purpose high-speed precision ground attack missiles. AGM-88Cs upgraded to Block VI standard were to be known as AGM-88D in U.S. service. The AGM-88D was in the EMD phase in 2002, and IOC at that time was planned for 2003.

Source



A more advanced HARM update program is known as AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile). The AARGM is a further improved Block VI missile, which uses not only the AGM-88D's GPS but also an MMV (Millimeter Wave) active radar seeker for terminal homing in its new WGU-48/B guidance section. The MMW seeker will employ active target recognition algorithms, and therefore be able to strike not only the radar emitter, but also e.g. the control vehicle of the site. The program started at the NWC (Naval Weapons Center) China Lake in 1998, and in March 2000, the first test firing of the MMW seeker in a modified HARM was successful. AARGM development continued with modified AGM-88 missiles, and an SD&D (System Development & Design) contract for the production AARGM was awarded to ATK (Alliant Techsystems Inc.) in June 2003. The first AGM-88E flight test of the DT (Developmental Testing) phase occured in May 2007. At that time, LRIP (Low Rate Initial Production) was expected to begin in 2008, and initial fielding in 2009. The CATM-88E will be the captive-carry training variant. A long term goal of the AARGM program is the development of an entirely new stealthy airframe, compatible with the internal weapon bays of the F-22 and Joint Strike Fighter.

Source


As you can see this is not your daddy’s HARM, the lessons were learned in Serbia and the proper measures were taken to correct the shortcomings.


ATK expects to begin Low Rate Initial Production in FY 2008, and fielded in FY 2009. The missile will be integrated on the F/A-18 C/D Hornet, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and Tornado IDS/ECR aircraft. It is also being designed for compatibility with the US Navy's EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft, and U.S. and Allied F-16s.

Source


Other Sources
AARGM
AGM-88E HARM

Now for the AIM-120C-D capability growth…


The AMRAAM P3I (Pre-Planned Product Improvement) program led to the AIM-120C, first delivered in 1996. The major new feature of the basic AIM-120C (P3I Phase 1) are the clipped wings and fins. Although this feature was introduced to allow carriage in the internal weapons bays of the F/A-22 Raptor, the -120C can also be used from other AMRAAM-capable aircraft. The guidance unit of the AIM-120C is upgraded to WGU-44/B standard. The first P3I Phase 2 missile is the AIM-120C-4 (first delivered in 1999), which has an improved WDU-41/B warhead. The AIM-120C-5 is a C-4 with a slightly larger motor in the new WPU-16/B propulsion section and a new shorter WCU-28/B control section with compressed electronics and ECCM upgrades. Deliveries of the AIM-120C-5 began in July 2000. It was followed on the production line by the AIM-120C-6, which features an updated TDD (Target Detection Device). The AIM-120C-7 (P3I Phase 3), development of which has begun in 1998, incorporates improved ECCM with jamming detection, an upgraded seeker, and longer range. The latter feature was specifically requested by the U.S. Navy to get a (somewhat) suitable replacement for the AIM-54 Phoenix very-long range missile, which was then planned to be retired together with the F-14D Tomcat around 2007 (actual official retirement was already in September 2004). The AIM-120C-7 was successfully tested against combat-realistic targets in August and September 2003, and IOC was then planned for 2004. This has slipped somewhat, but as of early 2006, the AIM-120C-7 is beginning to be fielded.

Source



The AIM-120C featured a change in profile, with smaller fins that would allow 3 missiles to be carried inside the F-22A Raptor's stealth-maximizing internal weapons bays. It has undergone a number of incremental updates to AIM-120C-6 status, including guidance section upgrades, smaller control electronics, a slightly larger rocket motor, an improved warhead, and a target detection upgrade. The AIM-120C-7 is just entering production, with an improved seeker head, greater jamming resistance, and slightly longer range.

Source


The added capability which leads to the AIM-120D started with the AIM-120C-5 which featured a more efficient airframe, larger motor, enhanced electronics and avionics. These features were further enhanced with the C-7 version and will be significantly improved upon by the AIM-120D.


The AIM-120D (P3I Phase 4, formerly known as AIM-120C-8) is a development of the AIM-120C with a two-way data link, more accurate navigation using a GPS-enhanced IMU, an expanded no-escape envelope, improved HOBS (High-Angle Off-Boresight) capability, and a 50% increase in range. The AIM-120D is a joint USAF/USN project, and is currently in the testing phase. First production deliveries are expected for December 2007.

Source



The AIM-120D will feature the C7 improvements, but the D version adds a very strong set of upgrades that are slated to include a two-way data link for greater hit probability and flexibility in multiple aircraft situations, more accurate navigation, improved high-angle off-boresight which gives the missile a wider target seeking 'cone' and an expanded no-escape envelope – and a 50% increase in range. The AIM-120D is a joint USAF/US Navy project, and is just headed into final testing and production. The first production set of AIM-120D missiles is scheduled to be delivered from December 2007 through January 2009.

Source


Other Sources
AIM-120C
AIM-120D
AIM-120 AMRAAM

What's interesting is this quite but significant attempt to design an ABM capable version of the AMRAAM under the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCDE) program. Essentially an air launched version of the AMRAAM with an AIM-9X seeker, second stage boost motor, and improved avionics etc…

Fred, thanks for the information regarding export policy for the different AMRAAM versions, it makes sense in light of this Israeli request. DSCA Report (PDF)

[edit on 3-10-2007 by WestPoint23]



posted on Oct, 4 2007 @ 09:53 AM
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hmmm..
So what's the AIM-120C-5 like?
Does it incorporate the longer range tweaks?
I read somewhere that the C-5 range was 105km?
Is that accurate?



posted on Oct, 4 2007 @ 10:43 AM
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reply to post by Daedalus3
 


Yes it does, among other things, although not to the extent of the AIM-120C-7. As for range, that depends, some sources quote the ~65 mile figure. However it is not clear at what speed and altitude these figures come from (i.e. set standard for absolute flight range). Different firing situations plus the characteristics of the firing and target aircraft (kinematic envelope) will change the figures significantly, naturally…

What is a good indication is that the C-7 was specifically requested to have a longer range by the USN to partially fill the range gap left by the retirement of the Phoenix…



The guidance unit of the AIM-120C is upgraded to WGU-44/B standard. The first P3I Phase 2 missile is the AIM-120C-4 (first delivered in 1999), which has an improved WDU-41/B warhead. The AIM-120C-5 is a C-4 with a slightly larger motor in the new WPU-16/B propulsion section and a new shorter WCU-28/B control section with compressed electronics and ECCM upgrades.


[edit on 4-10-2007 by WestPoint23]




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