Many thanks for the explanations.

But you stated:
Is the ASRAAM engine throttable? Because otherwise the problem is the same whether the aircraft just crossed or is simply “sitting” at 10 hours less than a kilometer away. A missile without TVC won’t be able to turn sharply enough to engage the target (not that it’s a very likely scenario).

No the reason – why I stated it needs to be a crossing shot rather than a close proximity shot is because the ASRAAMs off the rail performance will allow it to point directly at its target from the offset – before it even starts accelerating. So in effect it doesn’t need to maneuver to the enemy but fly straight to it. Once it is inflight and on course – so to speak – the missiles inherent KE advantage gives it better axial translation than any other western AAM – which means it is the hardest missile to dodge once on course. This shows its inherent design philosophy advantages and from all the RAF airmen I have spoken too – they believe it wipes the floor with 9X in any relevant envelope. We will have to see what Blk II brings though.

It can reportedly swing a full 180 degrees off the rail.

Cheers