Americans learn from Russians

From StrategyPage:

<<< October 9, 2000; US air-to-air and air-to-ground missile designers are seriously working on lattice-fin designs copied from Soviet-era missiles. Lattice fins can provide more control at higher speeds because they can stand the stress better.–Stephen V Cole >>>

Here’s what lattice fins look like, the missle is an R-77.

I would say it’s about time the U.S. broke away from the Sparrow or Falcon type aerodynamic layout for their air launched weaponry, these lattice fins are not only aerodynamically far superior to standard fins but are also more compact in storage, which is important if you’re planning on carrying your weapons internally. The only serious downside I’ve heard about lattice fins is that they have a much greater RCS than conventional fin designs, seems a small price to pay overall though. Lattice fins seem to be best used in conjuction with a so-called “long fin” arrangement, which is also present on the R-77. I wonder if we’ll see an American AMRAAMSKI anytime? :7