AMRAAM Missile - The Slammer of the Skies

The AMRAAM is the most famous active radar homing, air to air missile. It is considered by many the gold standard of its category, despite the fact that many valid competitors are starting to emerge.
In this video we go in depth about its history, its design and its versions. I believe this is one of the most detailed and best informed videos that you can find on the subject.
Enjoy!

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#AMRAAM #Missile #Airtoair

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[nighthawk]

Some extra points to add to your vid for those interested: The C model amraam has many different "blocks" from -3 to -7 (-8 became the 120D). Of note, the C-5 got a boost only motor. Meaning that in the A/B variants you had a 4 sec boost with a calculated ~4700lbs of thrust with a sustain of ~1200lbs for 4sec. While the C-5 got a boost only with ~3700lbs for 8 seconds. After this the C-7 was made with more range which many believe is due to a more powerful/longer burning motor although numbers on it are not available publicly. Provides a slightly higher total impulse. For the D something else to note is the addition of a two way datalink, which means that not only can everyone with a link-16 enabled jet see the missile but the missile can get midcourse corrections from the link-16 network such as a wingman, another flight, ship, or awacs.

[halipatsui]

This channel is criminally underrated. Keep it up!

[jaronva]

After having courses on these matters for over a year I didn't think I could still find a lot of useful information on youtube other than just a recap of the basics. This channel proved me wrong, with the previous video (Active RH) and this one being quite complete and containing details I didn't know (like the Anti-radiation homing mode when detecting jamming). Thank you and keep up the good work! It will pay off in the end.

[Native_love]

My "friend" worked on missiles for the US Military. The true capabilities of the missiles in our arsenal is unbelievable! What they can do and the systems in there are far ahead of whats published. The smartest people in the world design and update these things and it's suicide to fight any US Aircraft in combat. GOD BLESS OUR FLYBOYS!!!

[MillenniumHistoryTech]

The AMRAAM is the most famous active radar homing, air to air missile. It is considered by many the gold standard of its category, despite the fact that many valid competitors are starting to emerge.
In this video we go in depth about its history, its design and its versions. I believe this is one of the most detailed and best informed videos that you can find on the subject.
Enjoy!

Affiliate Links

Hornets over Kuwait


Audio RecorderTascam DR-05


LightsNeewer 3x 160 LED Dimmable Light Kit

#AMRAAM #Missile #Airtoair


---- Credits ----
Credits

MIG-21
Aviation Technology Space Channels

[kathrynck]

It's probably worth noting, that the AIM-54 also had a very large warhead, which significantly improved it's hit probability in a rather brute-force manner. I would regard the AIM-120 A & B as one type of missile, largely exploring active homing, F&F, home on jam, and GPS. And the AIM-120 C & D as a whole new class of missiles, exploring HOBS, "radical" HOBS, and leveraging data link capability. They all share some parts, but the C, and particularly the D, are monstrously more capable. Claimed hit-prob on the A & B is ~80% (real world probably more like 50%), while the C & D are claimed >90% (real world probably ~80%). But the increased hit-prob & range is secondary to the targeting versatility.

[e.martinez]

Wow, this was way more informative than most military hardware channels. Great work!

[awg-]

Love this guy, Clear, straight shot, unbiased, no crack ass music in.the background. I'm not sure of his technical data is correct: ie: procceser speed, especially, things may still be classified. But, approximately correct. Still love his efforts.

[chriswerb]

First of all, thank you for creating a truly excellent youtube channel. I've become a Patreon after watching many of your videos over the last few days. I very seldom find anything to take issue with. The only things I would add to this one was that the first Sparrows were not SARH - the were beam-riders. You can tell these missiles by their extremely pointed nose cones and you typically see them in photos of the F3D Skynight, the F7U-3M Cutlass and F3H Demon. Amazingly this AAM-N-2 Sparrow entered limited service as early as 1954. It was retrospectively named the Sparrow I when the active radar Sparrow II was so designated. Obviously the II never went anywhere and the semi-active Sparrow III is the one that was produced in large numbers. Another missile you could have mentioned when describing the home on jam mode of AIM-120 was the Hughes Brazo air-to-air AAM of the early 70s which apparently performed well in tests. I can see why a purely passive anti radiation AAM was a non-starter though, particularly as the same capability was eventually rolled into an active radar missile of similar dimensions .

[IntrusiveThot]

Wow! I don't expect much from military channels on youtube but this one is excellent!

[ghostindamachine]

Really incredible channel. You should have many more subscribers!

[bharatsharma]

I was unaware of a GPS receiver in the newer versions (120C-8 / 120D, it seems). Thanks for the video!

[PassifloraCerulea]

Some notes:
- 2/3 of your missiles missing their target is embarrassing!
- producibility -> manufacturability
- I'm astounded at how good (fast!) military GPS is compared to civilian stuff

And good work. Glad I found your channel.

[ELMS]

Such excellent and detailed content! So glad I found you. Subscribed.

[ritwikg]

You have a great knowledge and explain jargons with ease

[luapago]

Definition of producibility. : the character, state, or fact of being producible. So, yes it is a word. Keep up the good work!

[rjeffm]

Sparrow is a semi-active homing missile not a beam-rider. This is important in that the width of the beam of the illuminating radar does not affect long range guidance accuracy in the way a beam riding system is affected.

[JoyZofSoRRoW]

I just visited Missile Park in Ventura California by Point Mugu and saw this missile on display in the small park along with the sparrow, Polaris and several other missiles. Nice to know more about it.

Good video

[MCF]

The Phoenix being not maneuverable enough to engage fighters is a very common misconception. The Phoenix was and still is perfectly capable of maneuvering to intercept fighters. The limiting factor with it however is that because of how heavy it is, its long range use against fighters is limited since it bleeds more kinetic energy maintaining the maneuvers to intercept them.
Remember that one of the core jobs the Phoenix was designed for was intercepting supersonic cruise missiles in a frontal aspect (alongside intercepting fighters and bombers). Which requires much more maneuverability than intercepting even fighters, due to fighters rarely going supersonic to prevent their detection (if a supersonic aircraft flies over any hostile forces its pretty much guaranteed that they will be reported to other hostile forces) and to avoid disturbing civilians.

[icecold]

Not mentioned was the ability to fire and then maneuver against an incoming attack or attacking a second and even more targets. Letting go of lock to do so can degrade accuracy, though the lack of being dragged back and fourth by evasion maneuvers can make up for that. Also if you lose the lock on, the missile can still aquire the target on its own. A semi-active missile would be lost.
Also not mentioned is that the lack of hard lock until final acquisition means no warning of incoming missile.