AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM:
The recent approval by the United States to sell AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to Turkey has triggered serious concerns in India.
- AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a highly advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) with surface-to-air missile (SAM) capabilities.
- It was developed by Raytheon Technologies, one of the leading United States defense contractors.
- Developed to engage and destroy enemy aircraft at extended ranges, the AIM-120 has become a cornerstone of modern air combat.
- Designed for deployment from fighter aircraft such as the F-16, F-15, F/A-18, and newer platforms like the F-35, the missile has a range exceeding 160 kilometers under optimal launch conditions.
- Measuring approximately 12 feet in length with a diameter of seven inches, the missile weighs around 356 pounds and is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor capable of propelling it to speeds exceeding Mach 4, or roughly 3,000 miles per hour.
- The missile’s guidance system is a sophisticated blend of active radar, inertial navigation, and GPS correction, enabling it to operate independently after launch, a feature known as “fire-and-forget.”
- It also incorporates a two-way data link, which allows real-time updates to the missile’s trajectory, enhancing its accuracy against maneuvering targets.
- Its active radar seeker is designed to detect stealthy aircraft with low radar cross-sections, while advanced electronic countermeasures ensure resilience against jamming attempts.
- The missile carries an 18.1-kilogram high-explosive blast fragmentation warhead, optimized for destroying enemy aircraft and drones with a proximity fuse that triggers at the optimal moment.
- It has the ability to engage multiple targets beyond visual range, even in contested electronic environments.
