War Thunder Wiki - User contributions [en]

AIM-120A

2024-06-25T18:49:47Z

U57415245: /* Usage in battles */

== Description ==

The AIM-120A is an American [[Air-to-air missiles#Active Radar Homing .28ARH.29 missiles .28FOX-3.29|active radar-homing air-to-air missile]]. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus}}
* {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15c_baz_msip}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4f_kws_lv}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15c_msip2}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15j_kai}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_16am_block_15_mlu_belgium}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}}
* {{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_hungary}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 147.87 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || ARH+IOG+DL
|-
| '''Band''' || I
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 80 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 4.0 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 80 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 9.81 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
The warhead on the AIM-120A is similar to that on the AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, generally sufficient for destroying fighter aircraft with one hit.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
The AIM-120A has higher effective range when compared to other medium range active radar missiles, due to its powerful boost-sustain motor, low drag, and low mass, but it cannot match the close range maneuverability of missiles such as the MICA-EM, I-Derby or R-77, lacking thrust vectoring or high angle control surfaces.

== Usage in battles ==
The AIM-120A AMRAAM is a versatile missile, capable of filling both the role of a medium range BVR weapon and a dogfight missile. It can effectively out-range the AIM-7F/M missiles while also accelerating faster and having active radar guidance, similar to the AIM-54 phoenix, allowing the launching aircraft to employ defensive maneuvers once the missile has activated its own seeker at a distance of about 16 kilometres from the target.

Practical employment of the AIM-120 can be anywhere from 1-30 kilometres depending on the relative target aspect and altitude. The high 35g pull allows for effective employment at close ranges when paired with a HMD capable radar. This will be the main weapon for high tier American fighter jets.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Good practical range when compared to other MR AAMs.
* High G Pull allows for use in close combat over AIM-9M.
* Active radar homing increases launch platform survivability.
* Pulse Doppler seeker allows the missile to track targets at low altitudes.

*

'''Cons:'''

* Less maneuverable than other MR AAMs.
* Low mass lead to suboptimal energy retention and wobbling in terminal flight phases.
* Still kinematically outmatched by missiles such as the R-27ER.

*

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-120A

2024-06-25T18:48:29Z

U57415245: +Effective damage, comparison with analogues, usage, and pros/cons.

== Description ==

The AIM-120A is an American [[Air-to-air missiles#Active Radar Homing .28ARH.29 missiles .28FOX-3.29|active radar-homing air-to-air missile]]. It was introduced in [[Update "Seek & Destroy"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus}}
* {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15c_baz_msip}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-4f_kws_lv}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15c_msip2}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_15j_kai}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_16am_block_15_mlu_belgium}}
* {{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}}
* {{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_hungary}}

== General info ==
''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 147.87 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || ARH+IOG+DL
|-
| '''Band''' || I
|-
| '''Lock range''' || 16 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 80 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 4.0 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 35 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 80 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 9.81 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
The warhead on the AIM-120A is similar to that on the AIM-7 Sparrow missiles, generally sufficient for destroying fighter aircraft with one hit.

=== Comparison with analogues ===
The AIM-120A has higher effective range when compared to other medium range active radar missiles, due to its powerful boost-sustain motor, low drag, and low mass, but it cannot match the close range maneuverability of missiles such as the MICA-EM, I-Derby or R-77, lacking thrust vectoring or high angle control surfaces.

== Usage in battles ==
The AMRAAM is a versatile missile, capable of filling both the role of a medium range BVR weapon and a dogfight missile. It can effectively out-range the AIM-7F/M missiles while also accelerating faster and having active radar guidance, similar to the AIM-54 phoenix, allowing the launching aircraft to employ defensive maneuvers once the missile has activated its own seeker at a distance of about 16 kilometres from the target.

Practical employment of the AIM-120 can be anywhere from 1-30 kilometres depending on the relative target aspect and altitude. The high 35g pull allows for effective employment at close ranges when paired with a HMD capable radar. This will be the main weapon for high tier American fighter jets.

=== Pros and cons ===
'''Pros:'''

* Good practical range when compared to other MR AAMs.
* High G Pull allows for use in close combat over AIM-9M.
* Active radar homing increases launch platform survivability.
* Pulse Doppler seeker allows the missile to track targets at low altitudes.

*

'''Cons:'''

* Less maneuverable than other MR AAMs.
* Low mass lead to suboptimal energy retention and wobbling in terminal flight phases.
* Still kinematically outmatched by missiles such as the R-27ER.

*

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

R-60MK

2023-04-14T16:13:49Z

U57415245: /* Pros and cons */

{{About
| about = Soviet air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| and
| usage = other versions
| link-1 = R-60
| link-2 = R-60M
}}
== Description ==

The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a Soviet [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]]. It was introduced in [[Update "Winged Lions"]].

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


Helicopters

* {{Specs-Link|mi_24p_german}}
* {{Specs-Link|mi_24p_german_hfs80}}

Planes

* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_lazur}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig-21_bis_sau}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_23mf_germany}}
* {{Specs-Link|mig_29_9_12_germany}}
* {{Specs-Link|su_25k}}

== General info ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 44 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-aspects
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 5 km
|-
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 2 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 8 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 21 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 1.35 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===
''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''

== Usage in battles ==

The R-60MK is a dedicated air-to-air missile used to lock onto and fire at targets where others may not be able to, thus giving it the advantage. The optimal location to use the missile is within 1.5 to 2 km behind the target. Stay above the target and only dip down when firing the missile. This allows you to have the optimal firing range with the minimum detection possibility, as most targets will only check directly around them in a 360 degree circle at their height. However, this missile is easily distracted by flares, so it is best used against jets that have little to no flares.

=== Pros and cons ===

'''Pros:'''

* Higher G-Tolerance compared to the earlier [[R-13M1]] and [[R-3S]] (30G)
* Activates and accelerates quickly from the time of launch
* Uncaged seeker makes it easier for the missile to detect a target
* All-aspect ability allows the missile to get a lock at any angle with the target

'''Cons:'''

* Easily distracted by flares
* Relatively shorter range compared to other missiles such as the [[R-13M1]], [[R-3R]], [[R-23T]], and the AIM family with the exception of the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]]
* Extremely low explosive mass
* Low range for all-aspect ability minimizes the window of time to lock and launch the missile in a head-on engagement

== History ==
''Examine the history of the creation and combat usage of the weapon in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the weapon and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Weapon-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>.''

== Media ==
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[R-60]]
* [[R-60M]]

== External links ==
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-9L Sidewinder

2022-09-19T22:17:50Z

U57415245: /* Comparison with analogues */

{{About
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9L Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9L Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].

The AIM-9L entered service in 1977 as the first Sidewinder with all-aspect capabilities. It was first used by a pair of F-14 Tomcats in 1981, successfully destroying two Libyan Su-22s. Its first large scale usage was by the United Kingdom during the Falklands War, with an 80% launch-to-kill ratio.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_early}}
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_late}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_1z}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_64a}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}}

== General info ==

The AIM-9L variant is the first Sidewinder since the AIM-8B to be jointly used by the USAF and the USN, and was jointly developed by the two branches as well. It is directly based on the USN AIM-9H, but features improvements utilized in the USAF AIM-9J, including a new radar-slavable uncaged seeker head. It features an intermediary payload between the two previous branches of Sidewinder, and an intermediary weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspect''' || 3 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===

Compared to every other Sidewinder in-game, it has a ludicrous maximum overload of 30 Gs, 10 Gs short of what it could pull in real life, a motor burn time identical to the naval Sidewinders, a slightly longer rear-aspect lock range, and is the only Sidewinder to feature all-aspect IR lock, although front-aspect locks are very vulnerable to flares.

{| class="wikitable"
! Missile Characteristics !! AIM-9L !! AIM-9H !! AIM-9J
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg || 88 kg || 76 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR || IR || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspect || Rear || Rear
|-
| '''Seeker Head''' || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Uncaged (radar slavable)
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 6 km || 5.5 km || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 3 km || N/A || N/A
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km || 18 km || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M || 2.5 M || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G || 18 G || 20 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 s || 60 s || 40 s
|-
| '''Explosive Mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq || 3.53 kg TNTeq || 7.62 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The AIM-9L is best used in rear-aspect within a 3 km range from the target. It is best used against targets who are unaware, do not have flares, or have low energy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can pull hard with a 30G Max G-overload
* Up to 5 km in which the missile can turn (5.2 s of burn time)
* Retains the long range of the AIM-9D/G
* Occasionally completely ignores flares

'''Cons:'''

* Still fairly vulnerable to flares, especially when launched head-on
* Low track rate means it can be defeated by moderate manoeuvres

== History ==

===Development===
The experience with the AIM-9 Sidewinders in the Vietnam War and Yom Kippur War showed that there were still many improvements that could be made to the Sidewinder's performance. Low-altitude performance was poor due to environmental interferences on the Sidewinder's IR seeker, and the IR seeker was only able to attack from the rear to lock onto the engine exhaust of an enemy aircraft. Improving the Sidewinder's seeker capabilities to solve these issues became the key improvement for the next Sidewinder generation.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder">Kopp 2014</ref>
[[File:Cutaway_of_the_AIM-9L.png|x250px|right|thumb|none|An AIM-9L missile on display. The canard fin shape is the most distinctive external feature of the AIM-9L.]]

The United States Navy had their own development team within China Lake that set to work improving their Sidewinders, which has so far culminated from the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] to the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], [[AIM-9G Sidewinder|AIM-9G]] and their latest [[AIM-9H Sidewinder|AIM-9H]]. The US Air Force had their own development of the Sidewinder splitting off from the US Navy's AIM-9B to the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] and [[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]. The US Navy and US Air Force's Sidewinder models were not compatible between the two service branches due to differences in seeker cooling methods. The United States Air Force desired to continue their own missile program named "CLAW", which called for the use of smaller, cheaper missiles so more could be fired at a time. William Perry, the Defense Department's deputy director of research and engineering, disapproved of this path and told the US Air Force to work with the US Navy to work together on a common IR missile for both service branches. The US Air Force, therefore, cooperated with the US Navy's China Lake team to share specifications and technology to produce the next missile. The US Navy would designate this program as the ''AIM-9H Product Improvement Package'' (PIP).<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L">Westrum 2013, 191-193</ref>

The package prioritized improving the seeker with an indium antimonide seeker, which could detect the longer-wavelength infrared radiation given out of warm surfaces of aircraft parts, allowing the missile to obtain all-aspect capability (ALASCA) in acquiring targets.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Other improvements with the AIM-9H PIP were the long-span pointed double-delta canards, a new MK 36 solid-fuel rocket motor, WDU-17/B warhead featuring double-layer continuous-rod scheme, and a DSU-15/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) laser proximity fuse system <ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder">Goebel 2021</ref><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref> The cooling system was improved to a TMU/72/B argon-gas cooling system that was contained within the missile's seeker, which allowed for use on both USAF and USN missile launchers.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /> The one feature that complicated the US Navy and US Air Force cooperation with the missile was the reticle seeker, with the US Navy desiring an amplitude-modulated (AM) seeker while the US Air Force desired a frequency-modulated (FM) seeker. An AM-FM system was developed by Raytheon,<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" />, which allowed the Sidewinder to use both traditional AM reticle that is effective in cloudy backgrounds with the benefit of the FM reticle reducing seeker error signal inputs from the target's increasing size as the seeker gets closer.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Westrum_AMSeeker">Westrum 2013, 137</ref>
[[File:Breakout of the AIM-9L.png|x200px|left|none|thumb|An exploded diagram of the AIM-9L and its components.]]

Another improvement Raytheon introduced in the AIM-9H PIP was a rate bias that caused the missile to aim slightly ahead of an aircraft's hot afterburner. Issues arose when the missiles' rate bias adjusts too far ahead and missed the aircraft from the front. Consultation with General Dynamics revealed similar issues had arose during the development of the [[AIM-92 Stinger|FIM-92 Stinger]] missile, and the proper adjustments were made to solve the issue.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Sometime prior to 1975, the AIM-9H PIP would be designated as the '''AIM-9L'''. By 1975, the AIM-9L was tested in a joint navy-air force evaluation. Satisfied with the results, the AIM-9L missile was put into production in 1976 with both Raytheon and Ford Aerospace for a missile that was now jointly serving the United States Air Force and Navy.<ref name="Westrum_9LAcceptance">Westrum 2013, 196</ref>

Foreign users were also sought out for the AIM-9L. In one case, the AIM-9L was contested against the German company Bodensee Geratechnik (BGT), which had developed an ALASCA seeker for a proposed Viper missile. To resolve this and bring BGT to help produce AIM-9Ls to European allies, the US Navy and Raytheon waived license and R&D fees for the AIM-9L, causing the end of the Viper missile development and provided AIM-9Ls to Great Britain, Norway, and Germany. Japan were also given the license to produce AIM-9Ls, which was performed by Mitsubishi. Between Raytheon, Ford, BGT, and Mitsubishi, more than 16,000 AIM-9L Sidewinders have been built since their production started.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

===Combat===
The AIM-9L would see action in separate theaters by different users in the 1980s.
[[File:F-14A_VF-143_with_Sidewinder_and_Sparrow_missiles.jpg|left|x250px|thumb|none|A [[F-14A Early|F-14A]] equipped with a complement of AIM-9L Sidewinders and AIM-7 Sparrows.]]
On 19 August 1981, two US Navy's [[F-14A Early|F-14A Tomcats]] from VF-41 were engaged by two Libyan [[Su-22M3|Su-22]] in an event that would be known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.<ref name="GuardiaF14Variant">Guardia 2019, 20</ref><ref name="Westrum_F14Combat">Westrum 2013, 1-2</ref> As the Su-22s closed in, the lead plane fired a [[R-3S|AA-2 "Atoll]] missile at the F-14s, but missed.<ref name="GuardiaSidra">Guardia 2019, 30-35</ref> After evading the missile, the F-14s manoeuvred behind the Su-22s and, equipped with AIM-9L Sidewinders, each destroyed a Su-22 with the Sidewinders. The combat was concluded within 45 seconds.<ref name="Westrum_F14Combat" />

In 1982, the British would extensively use AIM-9L during the Falkland War on Sea Harriers. Procuring and using the AIM-9L were difficult as when the British carrier task force set sail to the Falklands in 05 April 1982, only 19 AIM-9L were in inventory. Moreover, the new canards on the AIM-9L did not fit the Sea Harrier's launch rails below the wings, though this was solved by filing down the launch rails for the AIM-9L to fit.<ref name="White_AIM9L">White 2020</ref> Sea Harriers equipped with AIM-9L fought in engagements against Argentine [[A-4B|A-4 Skyhawks]], Super Etendards, and [[Mirage IIIE|Mirage III]]s.<ref name="YoungSidewinder">Young 2021</ref> By the end of the conflict, a total of 27 AIM-9Ls were launched which scored 24 hits on Argentine aircraft, which translates to an 88% success rate for the AIM-9L missile.<ref name="Herbert_1982wars">Herbert 2007</ref>

Another conflict in 1982 that saw AIM-9Ls being used was the Israeli-Lebanon war. The Israelis launched Operation Mole Cricket 19 on 09 June 1982 to eliminate a Syrian air defense network set up in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The success of the Israeli operation forced the Syrians to commit their [[MiG-21bis|MiG-21s]] and [[MiG-23MLD|MiG-23s]] to prevent the Israeli Air Force (IAF) from achieving aerial superiority. The IAF, consisting of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, retained control of the sky as Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft informed Israeli pilots of the presence of Syrian jets, which were then intercepted and destroyed at visual range with AIM-9Ls, [[Shafrir]], or Python missiles. The AIM-9L reportedly earned a kill rate of 85% during this conflict and contributed to the Israeli claim of destroying more than 80 Syrian aircraft, which only had [[R-13M|K-13 missiles]] to fight back against the IAF aircraft.<ref name="YoungSidewinder" /><ref name="Herbert_1982wars" />

===Future Sidewinder variants===
[[File:AH-1W_VX-5_launching_AIM-9L_1987.jpg|right|thumb|none|An AH-1W SuperCobra fires a AIM-9L from a wing-mounted missile launcher at China Lake.]]

Though AIM-9L was a successful Sidewinder variant, there were still more features and improvements to be introduced into the model. Infrared Counter-Countermeasure (IRCCM) capability, a smaller smoke signature from the motor, and an improved WGU-4/B guidance system were implemented into the AIM-9L PIP that became the ''AIM-9M'', which saw use during the Gulf War.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The next significant AIM-9 variant to be developed was the ''AIM-9R'', which attempted to evolve the AIM-9 design with the use of a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, allowing the missile to use an imaging system to track the target. However, cost overruns, staff mismanagement, use of expensive and complicated components, and the fact the imaging system could not work in the night caused the backers of the program to lose faith and the missile was cancelled by the US Navy in December 1991.<ref name="Westrum_9R">Westrum 2013, 198-203</ref>

The AIM-9L and future variants introduced many radical features that the United States deemed too sensitive for all allies, and export variants were produced that lacked some of the newer features. These export variants were labeled as ''AIM-9N'', ''[[AIM-9P Sidewinder|AIM-9P]]'', and ''AIM-9S''.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

[[File:AIM-9X_F-15C_2002.jpg|x200px|left|thumb|none|An AIM-9X Sidewinder on an F-15C.]]
The most recent Sidewinder variant to see use is the ''AIM-9X'', which uses the Mk 36 motor and WDU-17/B warhead from the AIM-9M, but the airframe had been redesigned with smaller fins and canards for lower drag and better flight performance. Rollerons have been removed from the Sidewinder's design as the flight control system was sophisticated enough to no longer need them. The WPU-17/B propulsion section uses a jet-vane steering system to steer the Sidewinder with thrust-vectoring. The result was a more compact missile that could fit within a fighter's internal bay, such as the F-22 and F-35.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The biggest improvement of the AIM-9X over the predecessors was the guidance, using a seeker that was developed for the AIM-132 {{Annotation|ASRAAM|Advanced Short-Range Anti-Air Missile}} with an imaging infrared array, cooled by a Stirling-cycle cryocooler.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /> The AIM-9X also introduced an "Off-Boresight" capability, allowing the missile to be used with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to acquire target with the pilot's helmet.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> Continually seeing development as late as 2019,<ref name="Drive_AIM9X">Rogoway et al. 2019</ref> the AIM-9X looks to be the main Sidewinder model for the 21st century aerospace.

== Media ==

[[File:AIM-9L.png|thumb|none|none|An AIM-9L Sidwinder hangs off a F-14 Tomcat.]]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:18 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Goebel, Greg. 2021. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors. Last modified July 01, 2021. [https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html#m6 Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173258/https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html Archive]).
* Guardia, Mike. 2019. ''Tomcat Fury: A Combat History of the F-14''. Maple Grove, MN: Magnum Books.
* Herbert, Adam J. 2007. "The Wars of Eighty-Two". Air Force Magazine. Last modified April 01, 2007. [https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107183859/https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Archive]).
* Kopp, Carlo. 2014. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." Air Power Australia. Last modified January 27, 2014. [http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173023/http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Archive])
* Parsch, Andreas. 2008. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Last modified July 09, 2008. [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107172850/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Archive])
* Rogoway, Tyler and Josephy Trevithick. 2019. "The AIM-9X Sidewinder May Finally Evolve Into A Completely New And Longer-Range Missile". The Drive. Last modified September 03, 2019. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211123183940/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Archive]).
* Westrum, Ron. 2013. ''Sidewinder; Creative Missile Development at China Lake''. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
* White, Roland. 2020. "Her Majesty's Death Ray: How The AIM-9L Sidewinder Vanquished The Argentine Air Force." The Drive. Last modified October 07, 2020. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107182645/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Archive])
* Young, James. 2021. "Freedom's "Flying Snake": The AIM-9 Sidewinder in the Cold War". Marine Corps University. Accessed January 07, 2022. [https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107192115/https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Archive]).

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-9L Sidewinder

2022-09-19T22:17:07Z

U57415245: /* Comparison with analogues */

{{About
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9L Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9L Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].

The AIM-9L entered service in 1977 as the first Sidewinder with all-aspect capabilities. It was first used by a pair of F-14 Tomcats in 1981, successfully destroying two Libyan Su-22s. Its first large scale usage was by the United Kingdom during the Falklands War, with an 80% launch-to-kill ratio.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_early}}
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_late}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_1z}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_64a}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}}

== General info ==

The AIM-9L variant is the first Sidewinder since the AIM-8B to be jointly used by the USAF and the USN, and was jointly developed by the two branches as well. It is directly based on the USN AIM-9H, but features improvements utilized in the USAF AIM-9J, including a new radar-slavable uncaged seeker head. It features an intermediary payload between the two previous branches of Sidewinder, and an intermediary weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspect''' || 3 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===

Compared to every other Sidewinder in-game, it has a ludicrous maximum overload of 30 Gs, 10 Gs short of what it could pull in real life, a motor burn time identical to the naval Sidewinders, a slightly longer rear-aspect lock range, and is the only Sidewinder to feature all-aspect IR lock, although front-aspect locks are very vulnerable to flares.

{| class="wikitable"
! Missile Characteristics !! AIM-9L !! AIM-9H !! AIM-9J
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg || 88 kg || 76 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR || IR || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspect || Rear || Rear
|-
| '''Seeker Head''' || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Caged || Uncaged (radar slavable)
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 6 km || 5.5 km || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 3 km || N/A || N/A
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km || 18 km || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M || 2.5 M || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G || 18 G || 20 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 s || 60 s || 40 s
|-
| '''Explosive Mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq || 3.53 kg TNTeq || 7.62 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The AIM-9L is best used in rear-aspect within a 3 km range from the target. It is best used against targets who are unaware, do not have flares, or have low energy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can pull hard with a 30G Max G-overload
* Up to 5 km in which the missile can turn (5.2 s of burn time)
* Retains the long range of the AIM-9D/G
* Occasionally completely ignores flares

'''Cons:'''

* Still fairly vulnerable to flares, especially when launched head-on
* Low track rate means it can be defeated by moderate manoeuvres

== History ==

===Development===
The experience with the AIM-9 Sidewinders in the Vietnam War and Yom Kippur War showed that there were still many improvements that could be made to the Sidewinder's performance. Low-altitude performance was poor due to environmental interferences on the Sidewinder's IR seeker, and the IR seeker was only able to attack from the rear to lock onto the engine exhaust of an enemy aircraft. Improving the Sidewinder's seeker capabilities to solve these issues became the key improvement for the next Sidewinder generation.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder">Kopp 2014</ref>
[[File:Cutaway_of_the_AIM-9L.png|x250px|right|thumb|none|An AIM-9L missile on display. The canard fin shape is the most distinctive external feature of the AIM-9L.]]

The United States Navy had their own development team within China Lake that set to work improving their Sidewinders, which has so far culminated from the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] to the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], [[AIM-9G Sidewinder|AIM-9G]] and their latest [[AIM-9H Sidewinder|AIM-9H]]. The US Air Force had their own development of the Sidewinder splitting off from the US Navy's AIM-9B to the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] and [[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]. The US Navy and US Air Force's Sidewinder models were not compatible between the two service branches due to differences in seeker cooling methods. The United States Air Force desired to continue their own missile program named "CLAW", which called for the use of smaller, cheaper missiles so more could be fired at a time. William Perry, the Defense Department's deputy director of research and engineering, disapproved of this path and told the US Air Force to work with the US Navy to work together on a common IR missile for both service branches. The US Air Force, therefore, cooperated with the US Navy's China Lake team to share specifications and technology to produce the next missile. The US Navy would designate this program as the ''AIM-9H Product Improvement Package'' (PIP).<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L">Westrum 2013, 191-193</ref>

The package prioritized improving the seeker with an indium antimonide seeker, which could detect the longer-wavelength infrared radiation given out of warm surfaces of aircraft parts, allowing the missile to obtain all-aspect capability (ALASCA) in acquiring targets.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Other improvements with the AIM-9H PIP were the long-span pointed double-delta canards, a new MK 36 solid-fuel rocket motor, WDU-17/B warhead featuring double-layer continuous-rod scheme, and a DSU-15/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) laser proximity fuse system <ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder">Goebel 2021</ref><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref> The cooling system was improved to a TMU/72/B argon-gas cooling system that was contained within the missile's seeker, which allowed for use on both USAF and USN missile launchers.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /> The one feature that complicated the US Navy and US Air Force cooperation with the missile was the reticle seeker, with the US Navy desiring an amplitude-modulated (AM) seeker while the US Air Force desired a frequency-modulated (FM) seeker. An AM-FM system was developed by Raytheon,<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" />, which allowed the Sidewinder to use both traditional AM reticle that is effective in cloudy backgrounds with the benefit of the FM reticle reducing seeker error signal inputs from the target's increasing size as the seeker gets closer.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Westrum_AMSeeker">Westrum 2013, 137</ref>
[[File:Breakout of the AIM-9L.png|x200px|left|none|thumb|An exploded diagram of the AIM-9L and its components.]]

Another improvement Raytheon introduced in the AIM-9H PIP was a rate bias that caused the missile to aim slightly ahead of an aircraft's hot afterburner. Issues arose when the missiles' rate bias adjusts too far ahead and missed the aircraft from the front. Consultation with General Dynamics revealed similar issues had arose during the development of the [[AIM-92 Stinger|FIM-92 Stinger]] missile, and the proper adjustments were made to solve the issue.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Sometime prior to 1975, the AIM-9H PIP would be designated as the '''AIM-9L'''. By 1975, the AIM-9L was tested in a joint navy-air force evaluation. Satisfied with the results, the AIM-9L missile was put into production in 1976 with both Raytheon and Ford Aerospace for a missile that was now jointly serving the United States Air Force and Navy.<ref name="Westrum_9LAcceptance">Westrum 2013, 196</ref>

Foreign users were also sought out for the AIM-9L. In one case, the AIM-9L was contested against the German company Bodensee Geratechnik (BGT), which had developed an ALASCA seeker for a proposed Viper missile. To resolve this and bring BGT to help produce AIM-9Ls to European allies, the US Navy and Raytheon waived license and R&D fees for the AIM-9L, causing the end of the Viper missile development and provided AIM-9Ls to Great Britain, Norway, and Germany. Japan were also given the license to produce AIM-9Ls, which was performed by Mitsubishi. Between Raytheon, Ford, BGT, and Mitsubishi, more than 16,000 AIM-9L Sidewinders have been built since their production started.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

===Combat===
The AIM-9L would see action in separate theaters by different users in the 1980s.
[[File:F-14A_VF-143_with_Sidewinder_and_Sparrow_missiles.jpg|left|x250px|thumb|none|A [[F-14A Early|F-14A]] equipped with a complement of AIM-9L Sidewinders and AIM-7 Sparrows.]]
On 19 August 1981, two US Navy's [[F-14A Early|F-14A Tomcats]] from VF-41 were engaged by two Libyan [[Su-22M3|Su-22]] in an event that would be known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.<ref name="GuardiaF14Variant">Guardia 2019, 20</ref><ref name="Westrum_F14Combat">Westrum 2013, 1-2</ref> As the Su-22s closed in, the lead plane fired a [[R-3S|AA-2 "Atoll]] missile at the F-14s, but missed.<ref name="GuardiaSidra">Guardia 2019, 30-35</ref> After evading the missile, the F-14s manoeuvred behind the Su-22s and, equipped with AIM-9L Sidewinders, each destroyed a Su-22 with the Sidewinders. The combat was concluded within 45 seconds.<ref name="Westrum_F14Combat" />

In 1982, the British would extensively use AIM-9L during the Falkland War on Sea Harriers. Procuring and using the AIM-9L were difficult as when the British carrier task force set sail to the Falklands in 05 April 1982, only 19 AIM-9L were in inventory. Moreover, the new canards on the AIM-9L did not fit the Sea Harrier's launch rails below the wings, though this was solved by filing down the launch rails for the AIM-9L to fit.<ref name="White_AIM9L">White 2020</ref> Sea Harriers equipped with AIM-9L fought in engagements against Argentine [[A-4B|A-4 Skyhawks]], Super Etendards, and [[Mirage IIIE|Mirage III]]s.<ref name="YoungSidewinder">Young 2021</ref> By the end of the conflict, a total of 27 AIM-9Ls were launched which scored 24 hits on Argentine aircraft, which translates to an 88% success rate for the AIM-9L missile.<ref name="Herbert_1982wars">Herbert 2007</ref>

Another conflict in 1982 that saw AIM-9Ls being used was the Israeli-Lebanon war. The Israelis launched Operation Mole Cricket 19 on 09 June 1982 to eliminate a Syrian air defense network set up in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The success of the Israeli operation forced the Syrians to commit their [[MiG-21bis|MiG-21s]] and [[MiG-23MLD|MiG-23s]] to prevent the Israeli Air Force (IAF) from achieving aerial superiority. The IAF, consisting of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, retained control of the sky as Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft informed Israeli pilots of the presence of Syrian jets, which were then intercepted and destroyed at visual range with AIM-9Ls, [[Shafrir]], or Python missiles. The AIM-9L reportedly earned a kill rate of 85% during this conflict and contributed to the Israeli claim of destroying more than 80 Syrian aircraft, which only had [[R-13M|K-13 missiles]] to fight back against the IAF aircraft.<ref name="YoungSidewinder" /><ref name="Herbert_1982wars" />

===Future Sidewinder variants===
[[File:AH-1W_VX-5_launching_AIM-9L_1987.jpg|right|thumb|none|An AH-1W SuperCobra fires a AIM-9L from a wing-mounted missile launcher at China Lake.]]

Though AIM-9L was a successful Sidewinder variant, there were still more features and improvements to be introduced into the model. Infrared Counter-Countermeasure (IRCCM) capability, a smaller smoke signature from the motor, and an improved WGU-4/B guidance system were implemented into the AIM-9L PIP that became the ''AIM-9M'', which saw use during the Gulf War.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The next significant AIM-9 variant to be developed was the ''AIM-9R'', which attempted to evolve the AIM-9 design with the use of a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, allowing the missile to use an imaging system to track the target. However, cost overruns, staff mismanagement, use of expensive and complicated components, and the fact the imaging system could not work in the night caused the backers of the program to lose faith and the missile was cancelled by the US Navy in December 1991.<ref name="Westrum_9R">Westrum 2013, 198-203</ref>

The AIM-9L and future variants introduced many radical features that the United States deemed too sensitive for all allies, and export variants were produced that lacked some of the newer features. These export variants were labeled as ''AIM-9N'', ''[[AIM-9P Sidewinder|AIM-9P]]'', and ''AIM-9S''.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

[[File:AIM-9X_F-15C_2002.jpg|x200px|left|thumb|none|An AIM-9X Sidewinder on an F-15C.]]
The most recent Sidewinder variant to see use is the ''AIM-9X'', which uses the Mk 36 motor and WDU-17/B warhead from the AIM-9M, but the airframe had been redesigned with smaller fins and canards for lower drag and better flight performance. Rollerons have been removed from the Sidewinder's design as the flight control system was sophisticated enough to no longer need them. The WPU-17/B propulsion section uses a jet-vane steering system to steer the Sidewinder with thrust-vectoring. The result was a more compact missile that could fit within a fighter's internal bay, such as the F-22 and F-35.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The biggest improvement of the AIM-9X over the predecessors was the guidance, using a seeker that was developed for the AIM-132 {{Annotation|ASRAAM|Advanced Short-Range Anti-Air Missile}} with an imaging infrared array, cooled by a Stirling-cycle cryocooler.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /> The AIM-9X also introduced an "Off-Boresight" capability, allowing the missile to be used with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to acquire target with the pilot's helmet.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> Continually seeing development as late as 2019,<ref name="Drive_AIM9X">Rogoway et al. 2019</ref> the AIM-9X looks to be the main Sidewinder model for the 21st century aerospace.

== Media ==

[[File:AIM-9L.png|thumb|none|none|An AIM-9L Sidwinder hangs off a F-14 Tomcat.]]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:18 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Goebel, Greg. 2021. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors. Last modified July 01, 2021. [https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html#m6 Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173258/https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html Archive]).
* Guardia, Mike. 2019. ''Tomcat Fury: A Combat History of the F-14''. Maple Grove, MN: Magnum Books.
* Herbert, Adam J. 2007. "The Wars of Eighty-Two". Air Force Magazine. Last modified April 01, 2007. [https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107183859/https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Archive]).
* Kopp, Carlo. 2014. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." Air Power Australia. Last modified January 27, 2014. [http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173023/http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Archive])
* Parsch, Andreas. 2008. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Last modified July 09, 2008. [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107172850/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Archive])
* Rogoway, Tyler and Josephy Trevithick. 2019. "The AIM-9X Sidewinder May Finally Evolve Into A Completely New And Longer-Range Missile". The Drive. Last modified September 03, 2019. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211123183940/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Archive]).
* Westrum, Ron. 2013. ''Sidewinder; Creative Missile Development at China Lake''. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
* White, Roland. 2020. "Her Majesty's Death Ray: How The AIM-9L Sidewinder Vanquished The Argentine Air Force." The Drive. Last modified October 07, 2020. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107182645/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Archive])
* Young, James. 2021. "Freedom's "Flying Snake": The AIM-9 Sidewinder in the Cold War". Marine Corps University. Accessed January 07, 2022. [https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107192115/https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Archive]).

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

AIM-9L Sidewinder

2022-09-19T22:15:56Z

U57415245: Grammar correction

{{About
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
| usage = other versions
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
}}
== Description ==

[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9L Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9L Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
{{Break}}
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]].

The AIM-9L entered service in 1977 as the first Sidewinder with all-aspect capabilities. It was first used by a pair of F-14 Tomcats in 1981, successfully destroying two Libyan Su-22s. Its first large scale usage was by the United Kingdom during the Falklands War, with an 80% launch-to-kill ratio.

=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===


* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_early}}
* {{Specs-Link|a_10a_late}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_1z}}
* {{Specs-Link|ah_64a}}
* {{Specs-Link|f-104s_asa}}

== General info ==

The AIM-9L variant is the first Sidewinder since the AIM-8B to be jointly used by the USAF and the USN, and was jointly developed by the two branches as well. It is directly based on the USN AIM-9H, but features improvements utilized in the USAF AIM-9J, including a new radar-slavable uncaged seeker head. It features an intermediary payload between the two previous branches of Sidewinder, and an intermediary weight.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspects
|-
| '''Lock range in rear-aspect''' || 6 km
|-
| '''Lock range in all-aspect''' || 3 km
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 secs
|-
| '''Explosive mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

=== Effective damage ===
''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''

=== Comparison with analogues ===

Compared to every other Sidewinders in-game, it has a ludicrous maximum overload of over 30 Gs, 10 Gs short of what it could pull in real life, an incredible motor burn time, a slightly longer rear-aspect lock range, and is the only Sidewinder to feature all-aspect IR lock, although front-aspect locks are very vulnerable to flares.

{| class="wikitable"
! Missile Characteristics !! AIM-9L !! AIM-9H !! AIM-9J
|-
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg || 88 kg || 76 kg
|-
| '''Guidance''' || IR || IR || IR
|-
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspect || Rear || Rear
|-
| '''Seeker Head''' || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Caged || Uncaged (radar slavable)
|-
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 6 km || 5.5 km || 5.5 km
|-
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 3 km || N/A || N/A
|-
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km || 18 km || 18 km
|-
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M || 2.5 M || 2.5 M
|-
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G || 18 G || 20 G
|-
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 s || 60 s || 40 s
|-
| '''Explosive Mass''' || 4.06 kg TNTeq || 3.53 kg TNTeq || 7.62 kg TNTeq
|-
|}

== Usage in battles ==

The AIM-9L is best used in rear-aspect within a 3 km range from the target. It is best used against targets who are unaware, do not have flares, or have low energy.

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can pull hard with a 30G Max G-overload
* Up to 5 km in which the missile can turn (5.2 s of burn time)
* Retains the long range of the AIM-9D/G
* Occasionally completely ignores flares

'''Cons:'''

* Still fairly vulnerable to flares, especially when launched head-on
* Low track rate means it can be defeated by moderate manoeuvres

== History ==

===Development===
The experience with the AIM-9 Sidewinders in the Vietnam War and Yom Kippur War showed that there were still many improvements that could be made to the Sidewinder's performance. Low-altitude performance was poor due to environmental interferences on the Sidewinder's IR seeker, and the IR seeker was only able to attack from the rear to lock onto the engine exhaust of an enemy aircraft. Improving the Sidewinder's seeker capabilities to solve these issues became the key improvement for the next Sidewinder generation.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder">Kopp 2014</ref>
[[File:Cutaway_of_the_AIM-9L.png|x250px|right|thumb|none|An AIM-9L missile on display. The canard fin shape is the most distinctive external feature of the AIM-9L.]]

The United States Navy had their own development team within China Lake that set to work improving their Sidewinders, which has so far culminated from the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] to the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], [[AIM-9G Sidewinder|AIM-9G]] and their latest [[AIM-9H Sidewinder|AIM-9H]]. The US Air Force had their own development of the Sidewinder splitting off from the US Navy's AIM-9B to the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] and [[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]. The US Navy and US Air Force's Sidewinder models were not compatible between the two service branches due to differences in seeker cooling methods. The United States Air Force desired to continue their own missile program named "CLAW", which called for the use of smaller, cheaper missiles so more could be fired at a time. William Perry, the Defense Department's deputy director of research and engineering, disapproved of this path and told the US Air Force to work with the US Navy to work together on a common IR missile for both service branches. The US Air Force, therefore, cooperated with the US Navy's China Lake team to share specifications and technology to produce the next missile. The US Navy would designate this program as the ''AIM-9H Product Improvement Package'' (PIP).<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L">Westrum 2013, 191-193</ref>

The package prioritized improving the seeker with an indium antimonide seeker, which could detect the longer-wavelength infrared radiation given out of warm surfaces of aircraft parts, allowing the missile to obtain all-aspect capability (ALASCA) in acquiring targets.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Other improvements with the AIM-9H PIP were the long-span pointed double-delta canards, a new MK 36 solid-fuel rocket motor, WDU-17/B warhead featuring double-layer continuous-rod scheme, and a DSU-15/B Active Optical Target Detector (AOTD) laser proximity fuse system <ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder">Goebel 2021</ref><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref> The cooling system was improved to a TMU/72/B argon-gas cooling system that was contained within the missile's seeker, which allowed for use on both USAF and USN missile launchers.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /> The one feature that complicated the US Navy and US Air Force cooperation with the missile was the reticle seeker, with the US Navy desiring an amplitude-modulated (AM) seeker while the US Air Force desired a frequency-modulated (FM) seeker. An AM-FM system was developed by Raytheon,<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" />, which allowed the Sidewinder to use both traditional AM reticle that is effective in cloudy backgrounds with the benefit of the FM reticle reducing seeker error signal inputs from the target's increasing size as the seeker gets closer.<ref name="Ausairpower_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Westrum_AMSeeker">Westrum 2013, 137</ref>
[[File:Breakout of the AIM-9L.png|x200px|left|none|thumb|An exploded diagram of the AIM-9L and its components.]]

Another improvement Raytheon introduced in the AIM-9H PIP was a rate bias that caused the missile to aim slightly ahead of an aircraft's hot afterburner. Issues arose when the missiles' rate bias adjusts too far ahead and missed the aircraft from the front. Consultation with General Dynamics revealed similar issues had arose during the development of the [[AIM-92 Stinger|FIM-92 Stinger]] missile, and the proper adjustments were made to solve the issue.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9L" /> Sometime prior to 1975, the AIM-9H PIP would be designated as the '''AIM-9L'''. By 1975, the AIM-9L was tested in a joint navy-air force evaluation. Satisfied with the results, the AIM-9L missile was put into production in 1976 with both Raytheon and Ford Aerospace for a missile that was now jointly serving the United States Air Force and Navy.<ref name="Westrum_9LAcceptance">Westrum 2013, 196</ref>

Foreign users were also sought out for the AIM-9L. In one case, the AIM-9L was contested against the German company Bodensee Geratechnik (BGT), which had developed an ALASCA seeker for a proposed Viper missile. To resolve this and bring BGT to help produce AIM-9Ls to European allies, the US Navy and Raytheon waived license and R&D fees for the AIM-9L, causing the end of the Viper missile development and provided AIM-9Ls to Great Britain, Norway, and Germany. Japan were also given the license to produce AIM-9Ls, which was performed by Mitsubishi. Between Raytheon, Ford, BGT, and Mitsubishi, more than 16,000 AIM-9L Sidewinders have been built since their production started.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

===Combat===
The AIM-9L would see action in separate theaters by different users in the 1980s.
[[File:F-14A_VF-143_with_Sidewinder_and_Sparrow_missiles.jpg|left|x250px|thumb|none|A [[F-14A Early|F-14A]] equipped with a complement of AIM-9L Sidewinders and AIM-7 Sparrows.]]
On 19 August 1981, two US Navy's [[F-14A Early|F-14A Tomcats]] from VF-41 were engaged by two Libyan [[Su-22M3|Su-22]] in an event that would be known as the Gulf of Sidra incident.<ref name="GuardiaF14Variant">Guardia 2019, 20</ref><ref name="Westrum_F14Combat">Westrum 2013, 1-2</ref> As the Su-22s closed in, the lead plane fired a [[R-3S|AA-2 "Atoll]] missile at the F-14s, but missed.<ref name="GuardiaSidra">Guardia 2019, 30-35</ref> After evading the missile, the F-14s manoeuvred behind the Su-22s and, equipped with AIM-9L Sidewinders, each destroyed a Su-22 with the Sidewinders. The combat was concluded within 45 seconds.<ref name="Westrum_F14Combat" />

In 1982, the British would extensively use AIM-9L during the Falkland War on Sea Harriers. Procuring and using the AIM-9L were difficult as when the British carrier task force set sail to the Falklands in 05 April 1982, only 19 AIM-9L were in inventory. Moreover, the new canards on the AIM-9L did not fit the Sea Harrier's launch rails below the wings, though this was solved by filing down the launch rails for the AIM-9L to fit.<ref name="White_AIM9L">White 2020</ref> Sea Harriers equipped with AIM-9L fought in engagements against Argentine [[A-4B|A-4 Skyhawks]], Super Etendards, and [[Mirage IIIE|Mirage III]]s.<ref name="YoungSidewinder">Young 2021</ref> By the end of the conflict, a total of 27 AIM-9Ls were launched which scored 24 hits on Argentine aircraft, which translates to an 88% success rate for the AIM-9L missile.<ref name="Herbert_1982wars">Herbert 2007</ref>

Another conflict in 1982 that saw AIM-9Ls being used was the Israeli-Lebanon war. The Israelis launched Operation Mole Cricket 19 on 09 June 1982 to eliminate a Syrian air defense network set up in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The success of the Israeli operation forced the Syrians to commit their [[MiG-21bis|MiG-21s]] and [[MiG-23MLD|MiG-23s]] to prevent the Israeli Air Force (IAF) from achieving aerial superiority. The IAF, consisting of F-15 and F-16 fighter jets, retained control of the sky as Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft informed Israeli pilots of the presence of Syrian jets, which were then intercepted and destroyed at visual range with AIM-9Ls, [[Shafrir]], or Python missiles. The AIM-9L reportedly earned a kill rate of 85% during this conflict and contributed to the Israeli claim of destroying more than 80 Syrian aircraft, which only had [[R-13M|K-13 missiles]] to fight back against the IAF aircraft.<ref name="YoungSidewinder" /><ref name="Herbert_1982wars" />

===Future Sidewinder variants===
[[File:AH-1W_VX-5_launching_AIM-9L_1987.jpg|right|thumb|none|An AH-1W SuperCobra fires a AIM-9L from a wing-mounted missile launcher at China Lake.]]

Though AIM-9L was a successful Sidewinder variant, there were still more features and improvements to be introduced into the model. Infrared Counter-Countermeasure (IRCCM) capability, a smaller smoke signature from the motor, and an improved WGU-4/B guidance system were implemented into the AIM-9L PIP that became the ''AIM-9M'', which saw use during the Gulf War.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The next significant AIM-9 variant to be developed was the ''AIM-9R'', which attempted to evolve the AIM-9 design with the use of a charge-coupled device (CCD) detector, allowing the missile to use an imaging system to track the target. However, cost overruns, staff mismanagement, use of expensive and complicated components, and the fact the imaging system could not work in the night caused the backers of the program to lose faith and the missile was cancelled by the US Navy in December 1991.<ref name="Westrum_9R">Westrum 2013, 198-203</ref>

The AIM-9L and future variants introduced many radical features that the United States deemed too sensitive for all allies, and export variants were produced that lacked some of the newer features. These export variants were labeled as ''AIM-9N'', ''[[AIM-9P Sidewinder|AIM-9P]]'', and ''AIM-9S''.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" />

[[File:AIM-9X_F-15C_2002.jpg|x200px|left|thumb|none|An AIM-9X Sidewinder on an F-15C.]]
The most recent Sidewinder variant to see use is the ''AIM-9X'', which uses the Mk 36 motor and WDU-17/B warhead from the AIM-9M, but the airframe had been redesigned with smaller fins and canards for lower drag and better flight performance. Rollerons have been removed from the Sidewinder's design as the flight control system was sophisticated enough to no longer need them. The WPU-17/B propulsion section uses a jet-vane steering system to steer the Sidewinder with thrust-vectoring. The result was a more compact missile that could fit within a fighter's internal bay, such as the F-22 and F-35.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> The biggest improvement of the AIM-9X over the predecessors was the guidance, using a seeker that was developed for the AIM-132 {{Annotation|ASRAAM|Advanced Short-Range Anti-Air Missile}} with an imaging infrared array, cooled by a Stirling-cycle cryocooler.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /> The AIM-9X also introduced an "Off-Boresight" capability, allowing the missile to be used with the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) to acquire target with the pilot's helmet.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder" /><ref name="Designation_Sidewinder" /> Continually seeing development as late as 2019,<ref name="Drive_AIM9X">Rogoway et al. 2019</ref> the AIM-9X looks to be the main Sidewinder model for the 21st century aerospace.

== Media ==

[[File:AIM-9L.png|thumb|none|none|An AIM-9L Sidwinder hangs off a F-14 Tomcat.]]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|faKyQOTmzDw|'''Best guided missiles''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 1:18 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}

== See also ==


;Related development

* [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)]]

== External links ==


=== References ===

;Citations
<references />

;Bibliography

* Goebel, Greg. 2021. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors. Last modified July 01, 2021. [https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html#m6 Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173258/https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html Archive]).
* Guardia, Mike. 2019. ''Tomcat Fury: A Combat History of the F-14''. Maple Grove, MN: Magnum Books.
* Herbert, Adam J. 2007. "The Wars of Eighty-Two". Air Force Magazine. Last modified April 01, 2007. [https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107183859/https://www.airforcemag.com/article/0407eightytwo/ Archive]).
* Kopp, Carlo. 2014. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." Air Power Australia. Last modified January 27, 2014. [http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173023/http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Archive])
* Parsch, Andreas. 2008. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Last modified July 09, 2008. [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107172850/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Archive])
* Rogoway, Tyler and Josephy Trevithick. 2019. "The AIM-9X Sidewinder May Finally Evolve Into A Completely New And Longer-Range Missile". The Drive. Last modified September 03, 2019. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20211123183940/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/29158/the-aim-9x-sidewinder-may-finally-evolve-into-a-completely-new-and-longer-range-missile Archive]).
* Westrum, Ron. 2013. ''Sidewinder; Creative Missile Development at China Lake''. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
* White, Roland. 2020. "Her Majesty's Death Ray: How The AIM-9L Sidewinder Vanquished The Argentine Air Force." The Drive. Last modified October 07, 2020. [https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107182645/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36949/her-majestys-death-ray-how-the-aim-9l-sidewinder-vanquished-argentine-air-force Archive])
* Young, James. 2021. "Freedom's "Flying Snake": The AIM-9 Sidewinder in the Cold War". Marine Corps University. Accessed January 07, 2022. [https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107192115/https://www.usmcu.edu/Outreach/Marine-Corps-University-Press/Expeditions-with-MCUP-digital-journal/Freedoms-Flying-Snake/ Archive]).

{{Missiles}}

[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

F-8E

2021-12-29T05:29:01Z

U57415245: spaded performance numbers

{{Specs-Card
|code=f-8e
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 10,668 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 2,094 || 2,087 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 29.4 || 30.6 || 108.5 || 98.1 || rowspan="2" | 1,828
|-
! Upgraded
| 2,132 || 2,110 || 28.6 || 29.0 || 158.0 || 131.4
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| ✓ || X || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 1,070 || N/A || 583 || ~10 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < 1,000 || < 590 || < 500 || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Pratt & Whitney J57-P-20 || 1
| colspan="3" | 8,953 kg || colspan="3" | 376 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 52m fuel
|-
| 1,592 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 10,200 kg || 10,550 kg || 11,348 kg || 12,545 kg || 13,109 kg || 15,468 kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 52m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 4,562 kgf || 8,520 kgf
| 0.84 || 0.81 || 0.75 || 0.68 || 0.65 || 0.55
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 4,804 kgf (1,000 km/h) || 9,543 kgf (1,200 km/h)
| 0.94 || 0.91 || 0.84 || 0.76 || 0.73 || 0.62
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 (20 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 4 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons, nose-mounted (144 rpg = 576 total)
** 4 x 20 mm Browning-Colt Mk12 Mod 3 cannons + 60 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|LDGP Mk 81 (250 lb)|LDGP Mk 82 (500 lb)|LDGP Mk 83 (1,000 lb)|LDGP Mk 84 (2,000 lb)}}
{{main|AGM-12B Bullpup|AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9C Sidewinder|AIM-9D Sidewinder}}
{{main|FFAR Mighty Mouse|Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 8 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles
* 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 2 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs (4,000 lb total)
* 12 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs (3,000 lb total)
* 114 x FFAR Mighty Mouse rockets
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles
* 24 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 28 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles
* 2 x AGM-12B Bullpup missiles + 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets
* 12 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (3,000 lb total)
* 12 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (3,000 lb total)
* 12 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles (3,000 lb total)
* 12 x 250 lb LDGP Mk 81 bombs + 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets (3,000 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 8 x 500 lb LDGP Mk 82 bombs + 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 1,000 lb LDGP Mk 83 bombs + 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets (2,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9D Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x AIM-9C Sidewinder missiles (4,000 lb total)
* 2 x 2,000 lb LDGP Mk 84 bombs + 4 x Zuni Mk32 Mod 0 ATAP rockets (4,000 lb total)

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Can carry four useful air-to-air missiles
** AIM-9C air-to-air missiles can be launched in head-ons to surprise opponents
** AIM-9D air-to-air missiles have above average range (around 3 km)
* Landing flaps activate its variable-incidence wings, which provides a lot of lift
* Very good sustained turn rate
* Has a widely increased array of suspended ordnance (mostly consisting of air-to-ground loadouts) compared to the previous F8U-2

'''Cons:'''

* Fragile wings which can easily rip at high speeds and in high-G turns
* Very likely to set on fire because of the fuel tank placement
* Lacks RWR, which is a major disadvantage as it frequently encounters opponents equipped with SARH missiles

== History ==

''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).''

== Media ==


;Skins

* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-8e Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]

;Videos
{{Youtube-gallery|tQhEl042QE8|'''The Shooting Range #275''' - ''Metal Beasts'' section at 00:28 discusses the {{PAGENAME}}.}}

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==


* [https://www.avialogs.com/aircraft-v/vought/item/5195-f-8e-crusader-standard-aircraft-characteristics-1-july-1967 Standard Aircraft Characteristics of the F-8E]

{{AirManufacturer Vought}}
{{USA jet aircraft}}

JA37C

2021-09-14T20:30:24Z

U57415245: finished stat table, added "survivability and armor" section.

{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_ja37
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1920 || 1874 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 26.1 || 26.4 || 169.2 || 158.8 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
|2061||1997||23.9||25.0||232.9||199.6
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| X || X || ✓ || ✓ || X || X 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || N/A || 400 || ~12 || ~4
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="6" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Svenska Flygmotor RM8B || 1
| colspan="3" | 12,315 kg || colspan="3" | 364 kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="5" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 50m fuel
|-
| 2,350 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
| 13,641 kg || 14,080 kg || 14,963 kg || 16,287 kg || 16,735 kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="6" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || WEP
! 15m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 45m fuel || 50m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || 6,585 kgf || 11,025 kgf
| 0.81 || 0.78 || 0.74 || 0.68 || 0.66 || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || 6,585 kgf (0 km/h) || 15,990 kgf (1,250 km/h)
| 1.17 || 1.14 || 1.07 || 0.98 || 0.96 || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

The JA37C, being primarily a fighter-interceptor, is not equipped with any armor plating. Fuel tanks comprise much of the fuselage and wing area, and a fire will usually mean death. The elevons on the wing handle both elevator pitch and roll, so losing even 1 will make the plane nearly uncontrollable. Avoid damage at all costs, as even a damaged non-critical component will likely cause drag, making flight performance worse. As with most top tier fighters, it becomes much more challenging to fly with even a slight amount of damage compared to lower tier planes.

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | [[Ballistic Computer]]
|-
! CCIP (Guns) !! CCIP (Rockets) !! CCIP (Bombs) !! CCRP (Bombs)
|-
| {{Tick}} || {{Tick}} || {{Cross}} || {{Cross}}
|-
|}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Akan m/75 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* A choice between two presets:
** 1 x 30 mm Akan m/75 cannon, belly-mounted (150 rpg)
** 1 x 30 mm Akan m/75 cannon (150 rpg) + 48 x countermeasures

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|RB24|RB24J|RB71|psrak m/70}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x RB24 missiles
* 6 x RB24 missiles
* 6 x RB24J missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles + 4 x RB24 missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles + 4 x RB24J missiles
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB24 missiles
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB24J missiles
* 12 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB71 missiles + 2 x RB24 missiles
* 12 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB71 missiles + 2 x RB24J missiles

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Very fast at sea level, can accelerate up to Mach 1.21.
* Strong energy retention
* Great agility - Responsive elevons and a large rudder
* Impressive and low stall-speed
* Strong firepower - 30 mm gun shreds everything it hits
* Agile RB71 missiles
* Good air-to-air payload - Up to 6 missile pylons
* Access to countermeasures
* Easy to land - Strong landing gear and access to reverse thrust
* Strong air-to-air radar with access to pulse doppler tracking

'''Cons:'''

* Very high fuel consumption
* Mediocre acceleration
* Weak air-brakes - Difficult to slow down in the air
* Sluggish at lower speeds, poor stall control
* Low ammo count, lacks access to tracer munitions
* Unconventional flaps - Mostly useful during landings

== History ==

'''Background'''

During the 1960s, advances in technology occurred rapidly alongside the aviation industry, paving the way for more complex and capable designs. In order to keep up with the rest of the industry, SAAB had to develop aircraft at a constant pace, often coming up with replacements before the predecessor had even entered service. The SAAB Viggen was sought to be the replacement for the A32A and was being considered as early as 1952. The decision of whether to make a fighter or attacker design continued for years. By the end of the '50s, project 1500 started to show potential, with a delta wing design capable of performing multiple roles through different versions. The wing design would allow for short-distance take-off and landings, following the BAS60 roadbase system requirements. These also included all-weather capability and full coverage of the 2,000 km Swedish coastline.

The 37-1 prototype took to the skies in February of 1967. The design still had to go through extensive modifying before the plane could reach the production line. The canards were angled, the wing adjusted, and the fuselage bent slightly. Much of the unorthodox appearance of the Viggen arrived from the extensive testing done on the first prototypes. When finalized, an order of AJ37 Viggens was handed over to F7 Skaraborg, becoming the first division utilizing the aircraft.

'''JA37'''
[[File:JA37 Prototype.jpg|thumb|333x333px|JA37 Prototype airborne, carrying Rb71 Skyflash missiles.]]
With the Viggen successfully replacing ageing attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the focus shifted towards the replacement of the J35 Draken. This required extensive modifying of the Viggen as a whole, as the requirements for an interceptor wouldn't be met with the powerplant and avionics used in the already existing variants. The project was extensive, redesigning most areas of the plane to fit these specifications. SAAB had to fit an internal gun, an air-to-air radar, and a new flight computer which allowed a real-time data-feed between ground stations and flight groups. One of the more complicated adjustments was the powerplant, where the engineers had to install an additional fan stage. This helped counteract the compressor stall the RM8 engine often experienced at high angles of attack, allowing the JA37 to dogfight more comfortably. These modifications were expensive, exceeding the set budget several times. But SAAB pressed on with the design until the version was fully developed.

The first completed JA37 flew on November 4th, 1977. The first service variants were delivered to F13 Bråvalla in June of 1980, while F17 Blekinge and F21 Luleå received theirs in 1981 and 1982 respectively. The JA37 would go on to be the most produced variant of the Viggen, with 147 aircraft delivered between eight different divisions. The JA37 was highly appreciated by those who flew it, and saw many modifications that extended its lifespan.

'''JA37C'''

As the 80s came to an end, the Viggen platform began to require an overhaul to bring the capabilities closer to that of other countries. The Gripen project was still years away from being completed, so an upgrade program began that would involve all JA37 in continued service being upgraded to the JA37C standard. This package introduced countermeasures, and a new signal processor, allowing the radar to track more efficiently against enemy jamming. The radar could now follow multiple targets simultaneously and also display virtual targets to enhance pilot training. This variant of the JA37 would see use up until the end of the decade, still being a capable platform for its time.

=== [[wt:en/news/7304-development-perfect-interceptor-ja37c-jaktviggen-and-premium-j35a-draken-en|Devblog]] ===
The requirements for a new aircraft with very high performance to replace the SAAB 35 Draken emerged in the early 1960s. In 1962, the design team of the SAAB company prepared a draft design of the SAAB 37 aircraft, built according to an exotic double delta wing. The project seemed interesting for military authorities , and SAAB received funding to fully develop a new fighter in four basic configurations. The last and most advanced version was the SAAB JA37 Jaktviggen fighter-interceptor, the development of which continued until the mid-1970s, which was associated with the improvement of the engine and the development of modern electronic equipment. The first flight of the experimental JA37 interceptor fighter took place in June 1974, and in 1979 the fighter began to be supplied for service. Until 1990, 149 JA37 Jaktviggen units were produced. The specific appearance made the aircraft of the J37 family a "calling card" of the Royal Swedish Air Force for a long time.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}

JA37C

2021-09-08T22:21:12Z

U57415245: Added stock performance numbers to the table, as well as small adjustments to pros/cons.

{{Specs-Card
|code=saab_ja37
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
}}

== Description ==

The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Swedish jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Direct Hit"]].

== General info ==
=== Flight performance ===
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}

''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
! colspan="2" | Max Speed (km/h at 9,000 m)
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (metres)
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb (metres/second)
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (metres)
|-
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
|-
! Stock
| 1920 || 1874 || rowspan="2" | 12,500m || 26.1 ||26.4|| 169.2 || 158.8 || rowspan="2" | 900
|-
! Upgraded
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
|-
|}

==== Details ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="6" | Features
|-
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Drogue chute
|-
| _ || _ || _ || _ || _ || _ 
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
|-
! colspan="7" | Limits
|-
! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
|-
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
|-
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || ___ || ___ || ___ || ~__ || ~__
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
|-
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
|-
| < ___ || < ___ || < ___ || N/A
|-
|}

==== Engine performance ====
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine
! colspan="4" | Aircraft mass
|-
! colspan="2" | Engine name || Number
! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="2" | Wing loading (full fuel)
|-
| colspan="2" | Svenska Flygmotor
RM8B
| 1
| colspan="2" | _,___ kg || colspan="2" | ___ kg/m2
|-
! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
! colspan="3" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff Weight
|-
! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel
|-
| ___ kg || colspan="2" | _____
| _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg || _,___ kg
|-
! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
! colspan="4" | Thrust to weight ratio @ 0 m (___%/WEP)
|-
! Condition || 100% || ___%/WEP
! _m fuel || __m fuel || __m fuel || MTOW
|-
| ''Stationary'' || ___ kgf || ___ kgf
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
| ''Optimal'' || ___ kgf (_ km/h) || ___ kgf (_ km/h)
| _.__ || _.__ || _.__ || _.__
|-
|}

=== Survivability and armour ===
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}

''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''

=== Modifications and economy ===
{{Specs-Economy}}

== Armaments ==
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
=== Offensive armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}

{{main|Akan m/75 (30 mm)}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:

* 1 x 30 mm Akan m/75 cannon, belly-mounted (150 rpg)

=== Suspended armament ===
{{Specs-Avia-Suspended}}

{{main|RB24|RB24J|RB71|psrak m/70}}

The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

* Without load
* 2 x RB24 missiles
* 6 x RB24 missiles
* 6 x RB24J missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles + 4 x RB24 missiles
* 2 x RB71 missiles + 4 x RB24J missiles
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB24 missiles
* 24 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB24J missiles
* 12 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB71 missiles + 2 x RB24 missiles
* 12 x psrak m/70 rockets + 2 x RB71 missiles + 2 x RB24J missiles

== Usage in battles ==

''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''

=== Pros and cons ===


'''Pros:'''

* Strong energy retention
* Great agility - Responsive elevons and a large rudder
* Impressive and low stall-speed
* Strong firepower - 30 mm gun shreds everything it hits
* Agile RB71 missiles
* Good air-to-air payload - Up to 6 missile pylons
* Access to countermeasures
* Easy to land - Strong landing gear and access to reverse thrust
* Strong air-to-air radar with access to pulse doppler tracking

'''Cons:'''

* Very high fuel consumption
* Mediocre acceleration
* Weak air-brakes - Difficult to slow down in the air
* Sluggish at lower speeds
* Low ammo count, lacks access to tracer munitions
* Unconventional flaps - Mostly useful during landings

== History ==

'''Background'''

During the 1960s, advances in technology occurred rapidly alongside the aviation industry, paving the way for more complex and capable designs. In order to keep up with the rest of the industry, SAAB had to develop aircraft at a constant pace, often coming up with replacements before the predecessor had even entered service. The SAAB Viggen was sought to be the replacement for the A32A and was being considered as early as 1952. The decision of whether to make a fighter or attacker design continued for years. By the end of the '50s, project 1500 started to show potential, with a delta wing design capable of performing multiple roles through different versions. The wing design would allow for short-distance take-off and landings, following the BAS60 roadbase system requirements. These also included all-weather capability and full coverage of the 2,000 km Swedish coastline.

The 37-1 prototype took to the skies in February of 1967. The design still had to go through extensive modifying before the plane could reach the production line. The canards were angled, the wing adjusted, and the fuselage bent slightly. Much of the unorthodox appearance of the Viggen arrived from the extensive testing done on the first prototypes. When finalized, an order of AJ37 Viggens was handed over to F7 Skaraborg, becoming the first division utilizing the aircraft.

'''JA37'''
[[File:JA37 Prototype.jpg|thumb|333x333px|JA37 Prototype airborne, carrying Rb71 Skyflash missiles.]]
With the Viggen successfully replacing ageing attack and reconnaissance aircraft, the focus shifted towards the replacement of the J35 Draken. This required extensive modifying of the Viggen as a whole, as the requirements for an interceptor wouldn't be met with the powerplant and avionics used in the already existing variants. The project was extensive, redesigning most areas of the plane to fit these specifications. SAAB had to fit an internal gun, an air-to-air radar, and a new flight computer which allowed a real-time data-feed between ground stations and flight groups. One of the more complicated adjustments was the powerplant, where the engineers had to install an additional fan stage. This helped counteract the compressor stall the RM8 engine often experienced at high angles of attack, allowing the JA37 to dogfight more comfortably. These modifications were expensive, exceeding the set budget several times. But SAAB pressed on with the design until the version was fully developed.

The first completed JA37 flew on November 4th, 1977. The first service variants were delivered to F13 Bråvalla in June of 1980, while F17 Blekinge and F21 Luleå received theirs in 1981 and 1982 respectively. The JA37 would go on to be the most produced variant of the Viggen, with 147 aircraft delivered between eight different divisions. The JA37 was highly appreciated by those who flew it, and saw many modifications that extended its lifespan.

'''JA37C'''

As the 80s came to an end, the Viggen platform began to require an overhaul to bring the capabilities closer to that of other countries. The Gripen project was still years away from being completed, so an upgrade program began that would involve all JA37 in continued service being upgraded to the JA37C standard. This package introduced countermeasures, and a new signal processor, allowing the radar to track more efficiently against enemy jamming. The radar could now follow multiple targets simultaneously and also display virtual targets to enhance pilot training. This variant of the JA37 would see use up until the end of the decade, still being a capable platform for its time.

=== [[wt:en/news/7304-development-perfect-interceptor-ja37c-jaktviggen-and-premium-j35a-draken-en|Devblog]] ===
The requirements for a new aircraft with very high performance to replace the SAAB 35 Draken emerged in the early 1960s. In 1962, the design team of the SAAB company prepared a draft design of the SAAB 37 aircraft, built according to an exotic double delta wing. The project seemed interesting for military authorities , and SAAB received funding to fully develop a new fighter in four basic configurations. The last and most advanced version was the SAAB JA37 Jaktviggen fighter-interceptor, the development of which continued until the mid-1970s, which was associated with the improvement of the engine and the development of modern electronic equipment. The first flight of the experimental JA37 interceptor fighter took place in June 1974, and in 1979 the fighter began to be supplied for service. Until 1990, 149 JA37 Jaktviggen units were produced. The specific appearance made the aircraft of the J37 family a "calling card" of the Royal Swedish Air Force for a long time.

== Media ==

''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''

== See also ==

''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''

* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''

== External links ==

''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''

* ''topic on the official game forum;''
* ''other literature.''

{{AirManufacturer Saab}}
{{Sweden jet aircraft}}