Difference between revisions of "AIM-9 Sidewinder"
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| − | The '''AIM-9 Sidewinder''' is an air-to-air, short range, heat-seeking missile that was the first AAM to be used in aerial combat. It is named after a [[United States]] rattlesnake that detects prey by sensing body heat. It was developed in the 1950s by the Raytheon Corporation. It flies at a speed of Mach 2.5 and has a 20 lb warhead. Early models had to be fired from behind the target to home in on an enemy plane's exhaust, but newer models are "all-aspect," meaning they can home in from any angle. The Sidewinder is still in service today as the AIM-9X Sidewider. | + | The '''AIM-9 Sidewinder''' is an air-to-air, short range, heat-seeking missile that was the first AAM to be used in aerial combat. It is named after a [[United States]] rattlesnake that detects prey by sensing body heat. It was developed in the 1950s by the Raytheon Corporation. It flies at a speed of Mach 2.5 and has a 20 lb warhead. Early models had to be fired from behind the target to home in on an enemy plane's exhaust, but newer models are "all-aspect," meaning they can home in from any angle. The Sidewinder is still in service today as the AIM-9X Sidewider. |
[[Image:AIM-9.jpg|right|thumb|400 px|A AIM-9 on the wing of an F-16.]] | [[Image:AIM-9.jpg|right|thumb|400 px|A AIM-9 on the wing of an F-16.]] | ||
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Powerplant: 1 Rocketdyne Mk 36 solid-propellant | Powerplant: 1 Rocketdyne Mk 36 solid-propellant | ||
| − | Performance: Mach 3(1980 mph) | + | Performance: Mach 3(1980 mph) |
| − | Weight: 186 lb. | + | Weight: 186 lb. |
| − | Length: 9 ft. 4 in. | + | Length: 9 ft. 4 in. |
Width: 5 in. | Width: 5 in. | ||
| − | Warhead:(AIM-9) 25 lb. high explosive (AIM-9L) 50 lb. high explosive | + | Warhead:(AIM-9) 25 lb. high explosive (AIM-9L) 50 lb. high explosive |
The Sidewinder was the (unintentional) basis for the Soviet-made AA-2 Atoll missile.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/aa-2.htm AA-2 ATOLL at Military Analysis Network]</ref> | The Sidewinder was the (unintentional) basis for the Soviet-made AA-2 Atoll missile.<ref>[http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/aa-2.htm AA-2 ATOLL at Military Analysis Network]</ref> | ||
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Revision as of 03:13, July 12, 2016
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is an air-to-air, short range, heat-seeking missile that was the first AAM to be used in aerial combat. It is named after a United States rattlesnake that detects prey by sensing body heat. It was developed in the 1950s by the Raytheon Corporation. It flies at a speed of Mach 2.5 and has a 20 lb warhead. Early models had to be fired from behind the target to home in on an enemy plane's exhaust, but newer models are "all-aspect," meaning they can home in from any angle. The Sidewinder is still in service today as the AIM-9X Sidewider.
Ford AreoSpace/Raytheon Sidewinder:
Powerplant: 1 Rocketdyne Mk 36 solid-propellant
Performance: Mach 3(1980 mph)
Weight: 186 lb.
Length: 9 ft. 4 in.
Width: 5 in.
Warhead:(AIM-9) 25 lb. high explosive (AIM-9L) 50 lb. high explosive
The Sidewinder was the (unintentional) basis for the Soviet-made AA-2 Atoll missile.[1]
Operational History
The Sidewinder was first used in combat by F-86 Sabers of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in dogfights over the Taiwan Strait with MiGs from Communist China in 1958; AIM-9Bs brought down four MiGs and damaged two others.[2] The Sidewinder has seen use in almost every aerial conflict since then, and played a significant role in air combat in the Vietnam War, the Yom Kippur War, the Falkland Islands War, and the Gulf War.[3]
References
- ↑ AA-2 ATOLL at Military Analysis Network
- ↑ Taiwanese Air-to-Air Victories
- ↑ Rolling Thunder: Jet Combat From World War II to the Gulf War, by Ivan Rendall, 1997