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 ASRAAM
is a high speed, high agility, next generation, heat-seeking,
air-to-air missile. Designed as a fire-and-forget missile, it
is able to counter intermittent target obscuration in cloud as
well as sophisticated infrared (IR) countermeasures. Although
ASRAAM is predominantly for use in the within-visual-range (WVR)
arena, it also has a capability in the beyond-visible-range (BVR)
arena. The missile uses an imaging IR seeker (manufactured by
Raytheon in the USA) and will equip Tornado F3 and Typhoon aircraft.
ASRAAM is the world's first IR missile to enter service using
a staring array detector, which detects the whole target 'scene'.
The actual picture is very similar to a monochrome TV picture,
and gives the missile excellent long-range target acquisition
capability and enhanced performance against any employed countermeasures.
In a typical WVR engagement the missile is slaved to the target
either visually or by aircraft sensors. The missile is then launched
and following release it accelerates to speeds in excess of Mach
3 whilst being guided to the target using its IR seeker. The missile
can be fired at very high off-boresight angles, in either lock-before
or lock-after launch modes. Because the missile has a fire-and-forget
capability it allows the pilot to engage multiple targets with
multiple missiles at the same time.
Aircraft
Specification
- Primary Function: Air-to-air Infrared missile
- Length: 2.9m
- Diameter: 16.6cm
- Launch Weight: 87kg
- Range: Over 10nm
- Speed: Mach 3.5+
- Guidance System: IR staring array with modern autopilot
 The
AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile
capable of operation from a vast array of aircraft types. Its
main components are an Infrared (IR) homing guidance section,
an active optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead and
a rocket motor. The guidance section enables the missile to home
in on the engine exhaust of target aircraft. The IR seeker permits
the pilot to launch the missile then leave the area, or take evasive
action, while the missile guides itself to the target.
The Sidewinder is the most widely used air-to-air missile in
the world and is one of the oldest, least expensive and most successful
missiles ever produced. It has been continually updated over the
years and the AIM-9L and AIM-9M versions used by the RAF have
a much-improved performance against IR decoys such as aircraft
defensive flares.
The Sidewinder is a within-visual-range missile and would typically
be slaved onto a target either manually by the pilot or using
one of the aircraft's sensors. It is a 'dogfight' missile and
so launches and arms itself very quickly, thus allowing it to
be employed at very short range. Once launched, the missile is
guided to the target using IR homing and then detonates once the
target is inside the missile's lethal radius. Sidewinder is a
fire-and-forget missile, allowing the pilot to fire multiple missiles
at different targets.
Aircraft
- Tornado GR4 and F3
- Harrier
- Jaguar
- Hawk
- Nimrod
- Typhoon
Specification
- Primary Function: Air-to-air Infrared (IR) missile
- Length: 2.87m
- Diameter: 12.7cm
- Launch Weight: 84.28kg
- Range: Over 6nm
- Speed: Mach 3+
- Guidance System: IR Reticule seeker with modern autopilot
- Motor: Single-stage, solid-propellant rocket motor
 The
AIM-120 AMRAAM is a new generation air-to-air missile built by
the US Company Raytheon. The AMRAAM was initially procured for
the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier; however, it was subsequently integrated
onto the Tornado F3 as an enhancement to its Beyond Visual Range
(BVR) capability. Eurofighter will also be equipped with AMRAAM
when it enters RAF service. AMRAAM has an all-weather capability
and is scheduled to be operational in the RAF beyond 2010.
AMRAAM is faster than Skyflash, which it replaces on the F3,
and incorporates an active radar with an inertial reference unit
and microcomputer system. This makes the missile less dependent
upon the fire-control radar of the firing aircraft. Once the missile
closes on a target, its active radar guides it to intercept, enabling
the pilot to aim and fire several missiles simultaneously at multiple
targets.
In a typical BVR engagement the missile is launched and guided
by inertial navigation, with command guidance updates from the
firing aircraft via the data link. The missile then enters the
terminal phase where its own radar detects the target and guides
it to impact. In short-range mode, the missile can be launched
'active-off-the-rail', where the missile radar detects the target
immediately after launch.
Aircraft
Specification
- Primary Function: Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile
- Length: 3.66m
- Diameter: 17.78cm
- Launch Weight: 150.75kg
- Range: Over 20 miles
- Speed: Mach 2.5+
- Active radar terminal/Inertial mid-course
 The
Skyflash is a supersonic, medium range, air-to-air missile developed
by the UK from the American AIM-7 Sparrow missile. The latest
version of the missile has a boost-sustain, solid fuel rocket
motor giving it a greater range than previous versions. The missile
is capable of intercepting and destroying enemy targets in all
weather conditions, with the ability to 'snap-up' or 'snap-down'
to engage targets at ultra-high or low-level. It discriminates
between separate target groups and can operate in a variety of
countermeasure environments.
The missiles on the F3 are recessed into the underside of the
aircraft and are launched by being forced down into the airflow
on large rams. The missile utilises semi-active homing where the
launch aircraft illuminates the target and the missile homes on
the reflected energy. This semi-active guidance limits the launch
aircraft's ability to manoeuvre until missile impact.
In a typical BVR engagement the missile is launched and semi-actively
guides to the target. The missile has a proximity fuse, which
detonates the warhead when it is close to the target. However,
Skyflash can also be employed at shorter ranges, where the missile
is optimised to ensure quick reaction times and maximum manoeuvrability
after it has been launched.
Aircraft
Specification
- Primary Function: Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile
- Length: 3.66m
- Diameter: 20.3cm
- Launch Weight: 208.24kg
- Range: Over 20 miles
- Speed: Mach 2+
- Active radar terminal/Inertial mid-course
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