AIM-9X Block II?

Just saw this in a news blip

“”Completion of this test means our warfighters are another step closer to receiving the world’s most capable infrared air-to-air missile,” said Penfield. “The AIM-9X Block II is a revolutionary weapon that will give the warfighter a critical advantage. No other missile in the world will match the AIM-9X Block II in range, maneuverability, off-boresight capability and speed.”

Anybody know anything about this thing? ISTR it having a bigger motor than AIM-9X (and I’m fairly certain I’m not confusing that with RAM Block II).

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=149999&TICK=RTN&STORY=/www/story/09-18-2008/0004887895&EDATE=Sep+18,+2008

Since no-one has answered Sferrin’s query, I’ll have a go at it.

No new motor, I’m afraid. One of the changes introduced by the Block II P3I missile was to replace the existing DSU-37/B laser proximity fuze in order to address component obsolescence issues. The new Advanced Optical Detector System is smaller that the original fuze, so freed up some space within the missile.

This is being exploited by the addition of the AMRAAM datalink, which will allow long-range engagements using a lofted trajectory and near-rear-hemisphere engagements using the JHMCS. The Block II missile also has what has been described as a “software driven” Lock On After Launch (LOAL) capability. A future third-party targeting capability, via the datalink, is reported to be under consideration.

Next stage will be the Block III P3I, but this could be a decade away. For the moment, it’s a study.

Hear, Hear!

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=847211&#post847211

About the new motor, I don’t know about bigger – but how about smokeless? The current AIM-9X uses the AIM-9M motor which is still pretty smoky, correct?

Uh ja. 🙂

Yip – fuze, motor, warhead is from M.
If you’re looking for a more modern motor (already with TVC), look at the Norwegian motor for the IRIS-T.

Wonder if the lateral weapon bays of the F-22A would be large enough to accomodate two AIM-9X each. When using LOAL as a standard launch procedure they wouldn’t have to stick out their noses first and that flip-out launch rail could be redesigned.

Hear, Hear!

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?p=847211&#post847211

About the new motor, I don’t know about bigger – but how about smokeless? The current AIM-9X uses the AIM-9M motor which is still pretty smoky, correct?

Wonder if the lateral weapon bays of the F-22A would be large enough to accomodate two AIM-9X each. When using LOAL as a standard launch procedure they wouldn’t have to stick out their noses first and that flip-out launch rail could be redesigned.

From what I have been exposed to – the current ASRAAM has LOAL with full 360 degree coverage off the rail – I wasn’t under the impression 9X – has full 180 degree off the rail performance? Obviously the 9X has better initial maneuver capability – but at the end game? Asraams current motor is a 7 inch job as opposed to 9Xs 5 inch? What chance is there of the 9X getting RAM Block II’s motor? What about fuse and warhead performance? Who comes out on top in those parameters?

No idea as published AIM-9X block II data is virtually non-existent. The full 360 for ASRAAM is because it’s got LOAL capability which Block II will have.

http://www.ndiagulfcoast.com/events/archive/32nd_symposium/day2/Catton%20ACC-A8AAS06.pdf

Page 8

From what I have been exposed to – the current ASRAAM has LOAL with full 360 degree coverage off the rail – I wasn’t under the impression 9X – has full 180 degree off the rail performance? Obviously the 9X has better initial maneuver capability – but at the end game? Asraams current motor is a 7 inch job as opposed to 9Xs 5 inch? What chance is there of the 9X getting RAM Block II’s motor? What about fuse and warhead performance? Who comes out on top in those parameters?
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LovelyWendie99

Yeah – there is a lot of talk about the new incremental upgrade – 3.2. But I have yet to see anything saying its fully funded.

Id be surprised if 9X has the same range/speed as ASRAAM.

Depends how much of a motor upgrade it got. If they gave it the motor of RAM Block II it’ll have double the impulse of it’s current one. Obviously the airframe diameter would have to grow (which I haven’t heard either way on). Already has better off the rail manueverability with it’s vectored thrust. It should be able to beat or equal ASRAAM in just about every area except max range (although if it’s got the option of a lofted trajectory it should be able to get out there a ways still).

Yeah – there is a lot of talk about the new incremental upgrade – 3.2. But I have yet to see anything saying its fully funded.

Id be surprised if 9X has the same range/speed as ASRAAM.
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60-Degree V6 Engine

They took a page out of the ASRAAMs book it seems. IIRC its slated for integration in 2012 if funding goes the F-22s way – in increment 3.2.

If? :confused:

No other missile in the world will match
the AIM-9X Block II in range, maneuverability, off-boresight capability and
speed.”

Sounds like: Older AIM-9X, ASRAAM, Python-5, A-Darter, MICA-IR all put into one.

AIM-9X was said to have 60 g’s maybe now it 100 g’s (I read few years back that the A-Darter hit 100 g’s at one point)

Does the “AIM-9X Block II” even classify as a WVR weapon? We still don’t know the exact range of the older AIM-9X

They took a page out of the ASRAAMs book it seems. IIRC its slated for integration in 2012 if funding goes the F-22s way – in increment 3.2.
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Glass Bubblers

Question that keeps bugging me…..

When is the F-22 going to get AIM-9X?