R-73M2 vs AIM-9X Block II

You are correct.

In the sixties, young folk used to say “Never trust anyone over thirty”. In this case, the comment might be “Never trust the memory of anyone over seventy”.

You have things backwards in respect of the ASRAAM and AIM-9X seeker. The FPA seeker was developed by Hughes for the ASRAAM. Hughes won the program to develop the AIM-9X, they used the seeker they developed for the ASRAAM in their missile design. It is interesting to note that both Raytheon and Hughes submitted two different designs each for the competition reusing the motor and warhead from the older models already in service.

Raytheon then acquired the Hughes missile division bringing the winning Hughes design into their product line.

The Russians do not have the IIR seeker missiles can LOAL

Back in the cold-war days, I worked in several companies that were involved with missiles. Now in my 70s, I work as a defence consultant.

Equating size of production run to level of R&D spending and thus to missile capability is of questionable value.

The team that developed the IRIS-T has been developing advanced IR seekers for more than 30 years under various R&D programmes.

ASRAAM uses a variant of the Raytheon seeker developed for AIM-9X, so has been able to take advantage of US R&D efforts in this area.

I have visited Rafael’s R&D facilities and they are as advanced as any that I have seen.

oh thank ! you come from Military company ?

Equating size of production run to level of R&D spending and thus to missile capability is of questionable value.

The team that developed the IRIS-T has been developing advanced IR seekers for more than 30 years under various R&D programmes.

ASRAAM uses a variant of the Raytheon seeker developed for AIM-9X, so has been able to take advantage of US R&D efforts in this area.

I have visited Rafael’s R&D facilities and they are as advanced as any that I have seen.

No reason not to include other AAMs like IRIS T, ASRAAM, Python 5, A darter, AAM-5, PL-10.

These have small production run relative to AIM-9X and R-73. so it is highly unlikely the amount of R&D spent is on same level

Add Mica?

Do the latest versions of the R-73 have an imaging IR seeker – or is it still a 2-colour seeker?

To the best of my knowledge, the R-73 currently uses a single-colour seeker.

A two-colour Impuls seeker made by the Ukrainian company Arsenal was introduced by the RVV-MD improved variant of the R-73. This is not an imaging IR device, but is reported to offer a lock-on range of up to 20 km, a look angle of plus or minus 60 degrees, and improved ECCM capabilities.

No reason not to include other AAMs like IRIS T, ASRAAM, Python 5, A darter, AAM-5, PL-10.

Indeed.

Public domain information shows the A-Darter to have a 180 degree look angle, 120 degree per second track rate, LOAL and LOBL, thermal imaging, laser proximity fuse, and thrust vecoring control allowing up to 100g’s peak.

R-73M2

Does such a designation exist officially?

…the two missiles are quite similar parameters as the IIR seeker 2 are capable of all-aspects.

Do the latest versions of the R-73 have an imaging IR seeker – or is it still a 2-colour seeker? Might that make a difference in performance?

Here some ASRAAM details – PDF
+/- 90 degrees off-boresight
Lock after launch capability
Range – 16+ km? (Max 50km??? –Youtube Link)
Speed – Mach 3+ (Link-1, Link-2)
Seeker – IIR 128*128
Target G Limits – 50g

No reason not to include other AAMs like IRIS T, ASRAAM, Python 5, A darter, AAM-5, PL-10.