AIM-120 AMRAAM

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The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a United States air-to-air missile. It was developed as a next-generation missile to equip many NATO aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, F-16, F/A-18 Hornet, and F-22 Raptor. It replaced the AIM-7 Sparrow and its series.

A diagram showing the AIM-120
A diagram showing the AIM-120


The AMRAAM has advanced targeting capability; it can hit an enemy from 30 miles away at a speed of Mach 4. Avoiding one is extremely difficult, because the missile has excellent maneuverablity and sophisticated avionics. It is operated by Britain and Germany, as well as the Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force.

The AIM-120 was first used in combat in December of 1992, when a F-16 used one to shoot down a MiG-25 over Iraq. Since then, AMRAAMs have downed eight other enemy aircraft, an Iraqi MiG-23 and seven Yugoslav fighters.

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