Difference between revisions of "AIM-9M Sidewinder"

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(→‎History: Created history for the AIM-9M, moved Sidewinder future improvements from the AIM-9L as the M is now the latest Sidewinder variant.)
m (Man, whoever made all of these missile characteristics tables loves to give infrared missiles electronic counter-countermeasure stats. I've corrected the table to say "IRCCM" instead of "ECCM")
 
(18 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
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{{About
 +
| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
 +
}}
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a renowned family of short-range air-to-air missiles used by global air forces. Among its varations, the AIM-9M, introduced in the 1980s, stands out. This version was tailored to offer enhanced resistance to IR countermeasures, making it harder for enemy aircraft to evade or deceive. The AIM-9M also features a reduced-smoke rocket motor, minimizing the risk of the launching aircraft being spotted. Its deployment in various conflicts has cemented its reputation as a formidable air-to-air weapon.
+
<!-- ''Write an introduction to the article in 2-3 small paragraphs. Briefly tell us about the history of the development and combat using the weaponry and also about its features. Compile a list of air, ground, or naval vehicles that feature this weapon system in the game.'' -->
 +
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a renowned family of short-range air-to-air missiles used by global air forces. Among its variations, the AIM-9M, introduced in the 1980s, stands out. This version was tailored to offer enhanced resistance to IR countermeasures, making it harder for enemy aircraft to evade or deceive. The AIM-9M also features a reduced-smoke rocket motor, minimizing the risk of the launching aircraft being spotted. Its deployment in various conflicts has cemented its reputation as a formidable air-to-air weapon.
  
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
=== Vehicles equipped with this weapon ===
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
 
<!-- ''List out vehicles that are equipped with the weapon.'' -->
  
−
* {{Specs-Link|ah_1z}}
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{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
−
* {{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}}
+
 
−
* {{Specs-Link|f_16d_block_40_barak_2}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}{{Specs-Link|tornado_f3_late}}
−
* {{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|F-15}}{{Specs-Link|f_15a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_15a_iaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_15c_baz_msip}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_15c_msip2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_15j}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_15j_kai}}
−
* {{Specs-Link|harrier_gr7}}
+
{{Navigation-Line|F-16}}{{Specs-Link|f_16a_block_15_belgium}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_16am_block_15_mlu_belgium}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_50}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_16c_block_40_barak_2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_16d_block_40_barak_2}}
 +
{{Navigation-Line|JAS39}}{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_south_africa}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|saab_jas39c_hungary}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a_10c}}
 +
{{Navigation-Line|Harrier}}{{Specs-Link|harrier_gr7}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sea_harrier_fa2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|av_8b_plus_italy}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-Line|'''Attack helicopters'''}}{{Specs-Link|ah_1z}}
 +
 
 +
{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
The most Notable characteristics are:
+
<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.'' -->
 +
The most notable characteristics are:
  
−
# '''IRCCM''': The AIM-9M's guidance system was uses a form of IRCCM called Suspended Animation to provide increased resistance to infrared countermeasures. This form of IRCCM shuts off the seeker and relies of INS (Inertial Navigation System). This feature makes it harder for adversary aircraft to deploy flares or other means to deceive or divert the missile.
+
# '''IRCCM''': the AIM-9M's guidance system was uses a form of IRCCM called Suspended Animation to provide increased resistance to infrared countermeasures. This form of IRCCM shuts off the seeker and relies off INS (Inertial Navigation System). This feature makes it harder for adversary aircraft to deploy flares or other means to deceive or divert the missile.
−
# '''Reduced-smoke Rocket Motor''': The AIM-9M comes with a motor that produces less visible smoke. This characteristic is vital tactically, as it reduces the chances of the missile giving away the position of the launching aircraft.
+
# '''Reduced-smoke rocket motor''': the AIM-9M comes with a motor that produces less visible smoke. This characteristic is vital tactically, as it reduces the chances of the missile giving away the position of the launching aircraft, or the visual cue (besides the missile diamond) that a missile had even been fired.
−
# '''Reliability''': Over the years and through various upgrades, the Sidewinder family has developed a reputation for reliability, and the AIM-9M embodies this trait.
+
# '''Reliability''': over the years and through various upgrades, the Sidewinder family has developed a reputation for reliability, and the AIM-9M embodies this trait.
  
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
=== Effective damage ===
−
It has a 4.06kg warhead, making at average but still reliable at crippling or downing enemy planes with its warhead.
+
<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
 +
It has a 4.58 kg warhead, making it average but still reliable at crippling or downing enemy planes with its warhead. The damage can be, at times, inconsistent and larger aircraft may tank the missile in certain (and quite unlikely) conditions.
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
−
In terms of flight characteristics, the missile is identical to the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]]
+
<!-- ''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' -->
 +
In terms of flight characteristics, the missile is identical to the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder]].
  
−
The IRCCM this missile uses (Suspended Animation) which currently can only be found on helicopter AAMs. The AIM-9M is unique in this fact in game as it's the only missile that can be carried on Jets that use this form of IRCCM.
+
The IRCCM this missile uses (suspended animation) which currently can only be found on helicopter AAMs. The Japanese AAM-3 which is carried on the F-15J uses the same type of IRCCM, and has slightly better performance overall in comparison.
  
−
The other comparable missiles of this generation are the [[Matra R550 Magic 2]] and [[r-73]]. Both of these also have IRCCM, however they use a type of IRCCM called FOV Gating, where once it is fired, the inner FOV of the seeker is much lowered to reduce the chance of getting defeated.
+
The other comparable missiles of this generation are the [[Matra R550 Magic 2]] and [[R-73]]. Both of these also have IRCCM, however they use a type of IRCCM called FOV Gating, where once it is fired, the inner FOV of the seeker is reduced, making it harder to "see" flares.
  
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
−
!'''Missile Characteristics'''
+
! Missile Characteristics !! AIM-9M !! R-73 !! Magic 2 !! AIM-9L
−
!'''AIM-9M'''
 
−
!'''R-73'''
 
−
!'''Magic 2'''!!'''AIM-9L'''
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Mass'''
+
| '''Mass''' || 84 kg || 105 kg || 89 kg || 84 kg
−
|84 kg
 
−
|105 kg
 
−
|89 kg||84 kg
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Guidance'''
+
| '''Guidance'''
−
|IR
+
| IR || IR || IR || IR
−
|IR
 
−
|IR||IR
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Aspect'''
+
| '''Aspect''' || All-Aspect || All-Aspect || All-aspect || All-Aspect
−
|All-Aspect
 
−
|All-Aspect
 
−
|All-aspects||All-Aspect
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Seeker Head'''
+
| '''Seeker Head''' || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Uncaged (radar slavable) || Uncaged (radar slavable)
−
|Uncaged (radar slavable)
 
−
|Uncaged (radar slavable)
 
−
|Uncaged (radar slavable)||Uncaged (radar slavable)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Lock range (rear-aspect)'''
+
| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 11 km || 11 km || 6 km || 11 km
−
|11 km
 
−
|11 km
 
−
|6 km||11 km
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Lock range (all-aspect)'''
+
| '''Lock range (all-aspect)''' || 3 km || 3.4 km || 3 km || 3 km
−
|3 km
 
−
|3.4 km
 
−
|3 km||3 km
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''ECCM'''
+
| '''IRCCM''' || Yes || Yes || Yes || No
−
|Yes
 
−
|Yes
 
−
|Yes
 
−
|No
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''ECCM Type'''
+
| '''IRCCM Type''' || Suspended Animation || FOV Gating || FOV Gating
−
|Suspended Animation
+
!
−
|FOV Gating
 
−
|FOV Gating
 
−
|N/A
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Thrust Vectoring'''
+
| '''Thrust Vectoring''' || No || Yes || No || No
−
|No
 
−
|Yes
 
−
|No
 
−
|No
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Launch range'''
+
| '''Launch range''' || 18 km || 30 km || 10 km || 18 km
−
|18 km
 
−
|30km
 
−
|10 km||18 km
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Maximum speed'''
+
| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 M || 2.5 M || 3 M || 2.5 M
−
|2.5 M
 
−
|2.5 M
 
−
|3 M||2.5 M
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Maximum overload'''
+
| '''Maximum overload''' || 30 G || 40 G || 35 G || 30 G
−
|30 G
 
−
|40 G
 
−
|35 G||30 G
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Missile guidance time'''
+
| '''Missile guidance time''' || 60 s || 25 s || 25 s || 60 s
−
|60 s
+
|-
−
|25 s
+
| '''Explosive Mass''' || 4.58 kg TNTe || 5.96 kg TNTe || 9.6kg TNTe || 4.06 kg TNTe
−
|25 s||60 s
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
|'''Explosive Mass'''
 
−
|4.06 kg TNTeq
 
−
|5.96 kg TNTeq
 
−
|9.6kg TNTeq||4.06 kg TNTeq
 
 
|}
 
|}
 +
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 +
<!-- ''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)'' -->
 
The AIM-9M should be used to target enemy fighters. It's potential of destroying a target becomes exponentially higher when firing at a clueless or unsuspecting enemy, such as AFK players or those who don't know you are coming.
 
The AIM-9M should be used to target enemy fighters. It's potential of destroying a target becomes exponentially higher when firing at a clueless or unsuspecting enemy, such as AFK players or those who don't know you are coming.
  
Line 113: Line 87:
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 +
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
−
* Suspended Animation: Knowledge about how this type of IRCCM works is required to have a chance at evading this missile; meaning:  Very easy to score kills
+
* Missile difficult to evade from as knowledge about how suspended animation IRCCM works is required to have a chance at evading missile
−
* Long range. Can reliably be fired from 2.5km when chasing a supersonic target at low altitude. up to 4.5km when at altitude, and even 6-7km if conditions allow for it.
+
* Long range for its class of missile. Can reliably be fired from 2.5 km when chasing a supersonic target at low altitude. Up to 4.5 km when at altitude, and even 6-7 km if conditions allow for it
−
* Very maneuverable, it is extremely hard to dodge this missile kinetically.
+
* Very manoeuvrable, it is extremely hard to dodge this missile kinetically
−
 
 
−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
* It becomes "dumb" if the target keeps flaring, trying to hit the enemy based on right before seeker shut off due to flares.
+
* It becomes "dumb" if the target keeps flaring, trying to hit the enemy based on right before seeker shut off due to flares
−
* Not very useful in a dogfight as it doesn't pull hard enough against a close range maneuraling target
+
* Not very useful in a dogfight as it doesn't pull hard enough against a close range manoeuvring target
−
 
 
−
*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== 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>.'' -->
 
Despite the successful development and service of the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]], the team at China Lake still believed that there were still more capabilities that could be implemented into the missile that didn't fit within the AIM-9L development scope. When the US government came back and asked what else in the missile could be improved, the team set to work on the AIM-9L Product Improvement Package (PIP) that focused on adding these no capabilities.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M">Westrum 2013, 197</ref>
 
Despite the successful development and service of the [[AIM-9L Sidewinder|AIM-9L]], the team at China Lake still believed that there were still more capabilities that could be implemented into the missile that didn't fit within the AIM-9L development scope. When the US government came back and asked what else in the missile could be improved, the team set to work on the AIM-9L Product Improvement Package (PIP) that focused on adding these no capabilities.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M">Westrum 2013, 197</ref>
  
−
The primary improvement was better resistance to countermeasures, and as such a counter-countermeasure was implemented into the missile. One method was through the use of optical filters, which combined with the missile's own processing power in the installed computer chip meant it could not only filter out countermeasures, but also terrain and clouds, letting the missile focus on the optical signature of its target.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M"/> A low-smoke motor was also installed to reduce its visibility when fired.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder">Goebel 2023</ref>
+
The primary improvement was better resistance to countermeasures, and as such a counter-countermeasure was implemented into the missile. One method was through the use of optical filters, which combined with the missile's own processing power in the installed computer chip meant it could not only filter out countermeasures, but also terrain and clouds, letting the missile focus on the optical signature of its target.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M" /> A low-smoke motor was also installed to reduce its visibility when fired.<ref name="AirVector_Sidewinder">Goebel 2023</ref>
  
−
The new and improved missile was designated '''AIM-9M''' and would be put into production in 1981.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M"/> More than 7,000 AIM-9M missiles would be produced, with different subtypes developed, labeled sequentially from "AIM-9M-1" to "AIM-9M-10", for improvements such as better ability to distinguish countermeasures from an aircraft and new component improvements.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref>
+
The new and improved missile was designated '''AIM-9M''' and would be put into production in 1981.<ref name="Westrum_Sidewinder9M" /> More than 7,000 AIM-9M missiles would be produced, with different subtypes developed, labeled sequentially from "AIM-9M-1" to "AIM-9M-10", for improvements such as better ability to distinguish countermeasures from an aircraft and new component improvements.<ref name="Designation_Sidewinder">Parsch 2008</ref>
  
 
===Future Sidewinder variants===
 
===Future Sidewinder variants===
Line 139: Line 111:
  
 
[[File:AIM-9X_F-15C_2002.jpg|x150px|left|thumb|none|An AIM-9X Sidewinder on an F-15C.]]
 
[[File:AIM-9X_F-15C_2002.jpg|x150px|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.
+
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 ==
 
== Media ==
Line 155: Line 127:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
=== References ===
 +
 +
;Citations
 +
<references />
 +
 +
;Bibliography
 +
 +
* Goebel, Greg. 2023. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors. Last modified June 01, 2023. [https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.html#m6 Website] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20220107173258/https://www.airvectors.net/avusaam_1.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]
 +
* 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.
  
 
{{Missiles}}
 
{{Missiles}}
  
 
[[Category:Suspended armaments]]
 
[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Latest revision as of 22:46, 30 October 2024

Introducing Wiki 3.0
This page is about the American air-to-air missile AIM-9M Sidewinder. For other versions, see AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family).

Description

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a renowned family of short-range air-to-air missiles used by global air forces. Among its variations, the AIM-9M, introduced in the 1980s, stands out. This version was tailored to offer enhanced resistance to IR countermeasures, making it harder for enemy aircraft to evade or deceive. The AIM-9M also features a reduced-smoke rocket motor, minimizing the risk of the launching aircraft being spotted. Its deployment in various conflicts has cemented its reputation as a formidable air-to-air weapon.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Jet fighters  Tornado F.3 Late
F-15  F-15A · Baz · Baz Meshupar · F-15C MSIP II · F-15J · F-15J(M)
F-16  ▄F-16A · ▄F-16AM · F-16C · F-16C Barak II · F-16D Barak II
JAS39  ▄JAS39C · ◔JAS39EBS HU C
Strike aircraft  A-10C
Harrier  Harrier GR.7 · Sea Harrier FA 2 · AV-8B Plus · ▄AV-8B Plus
Attack helicopters  AH-1Z

General info

The most notable characteristics are:

  1. IRCCM: the AIM-9M's guidance system was uses a form of IRCCM called Suspended Animation to provide increased resistance to infrared countermeasures. This form of IRCCM shuts off the seeker and relies off INS (Inertial Navigation System). This feature makes it harder for adversary aircraft to deploy flares or other means to deceive or divert the missile.
  2. Reduced-smoke rocket motor: the AIM-9M comes with a motor that produces less visible smoke. This characteristic is vital tactically, as it reduces the chances of the missile giving away the position of the launching aircraft, or the visual cue (besides the missile diamond) that a missile had even been fired.
  3. Reliability: over the years and through various upgrades, the Sidewinder family has developed a reputation for reliability, and the AIM-9M embodies this trait.

Effective damage

It has a 4.58 kg warhead, making it average but still reliable at crippling or downing enemy planes with its warhead. The damage can be, at times, inconsistent and larger aircraft may tank the missile in certain (and quite unlikely) conditions.

Comparison with analogues

In terms of flight characteristics, the missile is identical to the AIM-9L Sidewinder.

The IRCCM this missile uses (suspended animation) which currently can only be found on helicopter AAMs. The Japanese AAM-3 which is carried on the F-15J uses the same type of IRCCM, and has slightly better performance overall in comparison.

The other comparable missiles of this generation are the Matra R550 Magic 2 and R-73. Both of these also have IRCCM, however they use a type of IRCCM called FOV Gating, where once it is fired, the inner FOV of the seeker is reduced, making it harder to "see" flares.

Missile Characteristics AIM-9M R-73 Magic 2 AIM-9L
Mass 84 kg 105 kg 89 kg 84 kg
Guidance IR IR IR IR
Aspect All-Aspect All-Aspect All-aspect All-Aspect
Seeker Head Uncaged (radar slavable) Uncaged (radar slavable) Uncaged (radar slavable) Uncaged (radar slavable)
Lock range (rear-aspect) 11 km 11 km 6 km 11 km
Lock range (all-aspect) 3 km 3.4 km 3 km 3 km
IRCCM Yes Yes Yes No
IRCCM Type Suspended Animation FOV Gating FOV Gating
Thrust Vectoring No Yes No No
Launch range 18 km 30 km 10 km 18 km
Maximum speed 2.5 M 2.5 M 3 M 2.5 M
Maximum overload 30 G 40 G 35 G 30 G
Missile guidance time 60 s 25 s 25 s 60 s
Explosive Mass 4.58 kg TNTe 5.96 kg TNTe 9.6kg TNTe 4.06 kg TNTe

Usage in battles

The AIM-9M should be used to target enemy fighters. It's potential of destroying a target becomes exponentially higher when firing at a clueless or unsuspecting enemy, such as AFK players or those who don't know you are coming.

When an enemy is flaring, or ready to flare the missile, shooting it from side aspect is generally most reliable, with rear aspect being fairly reliable and front aspect not being reliable at all.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Missile difficult to evade from as knowledge about how suspended animation IRCCM works is required to have a chance at evading missile
  • Long range for its class of missile. Can reliably be fired from 2.5 km when chasing a supersonic target at low altitude. Up to 4.5 km when at altitude, and even 6-7 km if conditions allow for it
  • Very manoeuvrable, it is extremely hard to dodge this missile kinetically

Cons:

  • It becomes "dumb" if the target keeps flaring, trying to hit the enemy based on right before seeker shut off due to flares
  • Not very useful in a dogfight as it doesn't pull hard enough against a close range manoeuvring target

History

Despite the successful development and service of the AIM-9L, the team at China Lake still believed that there were still more capabilities that could be implemented into the missile that didn't fit within the AIM-9L development scope. When the US government came back and asked what else in the missile could be improved, the team set to work on the AIM-9L Product Improvement Package (PIP) that focused on adding these no capabilities.[1]

The primary improvement was better resistance to countermeasures, and as such a counter-countermeasure was implemented into the missile. One method was through the use of optical filters, which combined with the missile's own processing power in the installed computer chip meant it could not only filter out countermeasures, but also terrain and clouds, letting the missile focus on the optical signature of its target.[1] A low-smoke motor was also installed to reduce its visibility when fired.[2]

The new and improved missile was designated AIM-9M and would be put into production in 1981.[1] More than 7,000 AIM-9M missiles would be produced, with different subtypes developed, labeled sequentially from "AIM-9M-1" to "AIM-9M-10", for improvements such as better ability to distinguish countermeasures from an aircraft and new component improvements.[3]

Future Sidewinder variants

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.[4]

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.[3] The biggest improvement of the AIM-9X over the predecessors was the guidance, using a seeker that was developed for the AIM-132 ASRAAM with an imaging infrared array, cooled by a Stirling-cycle cryocooler.[2] 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.[2][3] Continually seeing development as late as 2019,[5] the AIM-9X looks to be the main Sidewinder model for the 21st century aerospace.

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.

References

Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Westrum 2013, 197
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Goebel 2023
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Parsch 2008
  4. ↑ Westrum 2013, 198-203
  5. ↑ Rogoway et al. 2019
Bibliography
  • Goebel, Greg. 2023. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors. Last modified June 01, 2023. Website (Archive).
  • Parsch, Andreas. 2008. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Last modified July 09, 2008. Website
  • 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. Website (Archive).
  • Westrum, Ron. 2013. Sidewinder; Creative Missile Development at China Lake. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.


Missiles
USA 
AAM  AIM-54A Phoenix · AIM-54C Phoenix · ATAS (AIM-92) · AIM-120A · AIM-120B · Fakour-90 · Sedjeel
Sparrow  AIM-7C · AIM-7D · AIM-7E · AIM-7E-2 · AIM-7F · AIM-7M
Sidewinder  AIM-9B · AIM-9C · AIM-9D · AIM-9E · AIM-9G · AIM-9H · AIM-9J · AIM-9L · AIM-9M · AIM-9P
AGM  AGM-22 · APKWS II (M151) · APKWS II (M282) · BGM-71D TOW-2
Bullpup  AGM-12B Bullpup · AGM-12C Bullpup
Hellfire  AGM-114B Hellfire · AGM-114K Hellfire II
Maverick  AGM-65A · AGM-65B · AGM-65D · AGM-65E2 · AGM-65G · AGM-65L
ATGM  LOSAT/MGM-166A
TOW  BGM-71 · BGM-71A · BGM-71B · BGM-71C
SAM  FIM-92 Stinger · MIM-72 · MIM146
Naval SAM  RIM-24A
Germany 
AAM  AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder · AIM-9L/I Sidewinder · Flz Lwf 63 · Flz Lwf 63/80
AGM  9M14M Malyutka · Flz Lwf LB 82 · HOT-1 · HOT-2 TOW · HOT-3 · PARS 3 LR
AShM  AS.34 Kormoran
ATGM  HOT-K3S · Spike-LR II
SAM  Roland
Naval SAM  Strela-2M
USSR 
AAM  9M39 Igla · R-3R · R-3S · R-13M1 · R-23R · R-23T · R-24R · R-24T · R-27ER(1) · R-27ET(1) · R-27R(1) · R-27T(1) · R-60 · R-60M · R-60MK · R-73(E) · R-77
AGM  9K127 Vikhr · 9M17M Falanga · 9M120 Ataka · 9M120-1 Ataka
  Kh-23M · Kh-25 · Kh-25ML · Kh-29L · Kh-29T · Kh-29TE · Kh-29TD · Kh-66 · S-25L · S-25LD
ATGM  3M7 · 9M14 · 9M113 Konkurs · 9M114 Shturm · 9M123 Khrizantema · 9M133 · 9M133FM3 · 9M133M-2
SAM  95Ya6 · 9M311 · 9M311-1M · 9M331 · 9M37M
Naval SAM  Volna-M
Britain 
AAM  Fireflash · Firestreak · Red Top · Skyflash · Skyflash SuperTEMP · SRAAM · R-Darter
AGM  AGM-65E · AS.12 · ZT-6 Mokopa
AShM  AJ.168
ATGM  BAe Swingfire · MILAN · MILAN 2 · ZT3
SAM  Starstreak
Japan 
AAM  AAM-3 · AAM-4
AGM  Ki-148 I-Go Model 1B
ATGM  Type 64 MAT · Type 79 Jyu-MAT
SAM  Type 81 SAM-1C · Type 91
China 
AAM  PL-2 · PL-5B · PL-5C · PL-5EII · PL-7 · PL-8 · PL-12 · SD-10(A) · TY-90
AGM  AKD-9 · AKD-10 · Fire Snake 90A · HJ-8A · HJ-8C · HJ-8E · HJ-8H
ATGM  302 · HJ-73 · HJ-73E · HJ-9 · QN201DD · QN502CDD
SAM  HN-6
Italy 
AAM  Aspide-1A · MAA-1 Piranha
AGM  AGM-65H · CIRIT · L-UMTAS · Spike ER
ATGM  Spike-LR II
Naval AShM  Nettuno
SAM  Mistral SATCP
France 
AAM  AA-20 Nord · Matra R511 · Matra R530 · Matra R530E · Matra Super 530D · Matra Super 530F · Matra R550 Magic 1 · Matra R550 Magic 2 · Mistral · MICA-EM
AGM  9M14-2 Malyutka-2 · AS-20 Nord · AS-30 Nord · AS-30L Nord · HOT-1 · HOT-2 TOW · HOT-3 · Spike ER
ATGM  HOT · SS.11
SAM  Roland · VT1
Sweden 
AAM  RB24 · RB24J · RB71 · RB 74 · RB 74(M) · RB 99
AGM  Rb05A · RB 53 Bantam · RB 55B Heli TOW · RB 55C Heli TOW · RB 75 · RB 75T
ATGM  Rbs 55 · Rbs 56
SAM  Rbs 70
Israel 
AAM  Shafrir · Shafrir 2 · Python 3 · Derby
ATGM  Spike-LR II
  AAM = Air-to-Air Missile   AGM = Air-to-Ground Missile   AShM = Anti-Ship Missile   ATGM = Anti-Tank Guided Missile (Ground mounts)   SAM = Surface-to-Air Missile

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