Difference between revisions of "AIM-9B Sidewinder"

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[[File:Missile AIM-9B Fired.jpg|thumbnail|right|x250px|An AIM-9B being fired.]]
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{{About
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| about = American air-to-air missile '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
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| usage = other versions
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| link = AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)
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}}
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[[File:Missile AIM-9B Fired.jpg|thumbnail|right|x250px|An AIM-9B being fired]]
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
<!-- ''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.'' -->
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The '''AIM-9B''' 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-9B is the earliest and least capable member of the Sidewinder family of missiles found in the game. It was the basis for the later Sidewinder missiles, as well as many other missiles found in the game. The [[Rb24]] is an AIM-9B built under license in Sweden, while the [[R-3S]], [[R-13M]] and [[PL-2]] are all decedents of the Vympel R-3 missile, which was a Soviet reverse-engineered version of the AIM-9B. The AIM-9B also served as the basis for the design of the Israeli [[Shafrir]] missile, although there are notable differences between the two.
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[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9B Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9B Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
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{{Break}}
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The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]] which was introduced in [[Update 1.85 "Supersonic"]]. The AIM-9B is the earliest and least capable member of the Sidewinder family of missiles found in the game. It was the basis for the later Sidewinder missiles, as well as many other missiles found in the game. The [[Rb24]] is an AIM-9B built under license in Sweden, while the [[R-3S]], [[R-13M1]] and [[PL-2]] are all descendants of the Vympel R-3 missile, which was a Soviet reverse-engineered version of the AIM-9B. The AIM-9B also served as the basis for the design of the Israeli [[Shafrir]] missile, although there are notable differences between the two.
  
 
=== 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.'' -->
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{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
 
{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
  
 
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}
 
{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}
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{{Navigation-Line|USA}}{{Specs-Link|f9f-8}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}
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{{Navigation-Line|USA}}{{Specs-Link|f3h-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f4d_1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f8u-2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e}}
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{{Navigation-Line| }}{{Specs-Link|f9f-8}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f11f_1_late}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104c}}
  
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{{Navigation-Line|Germany}}{{Specs-Link|sea_hawk_mk100}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Germany}}{{Specs-Link|f-86_cl_13b_mk6}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_german}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_r4_german}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|sea_hawk_mk100}}
  
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{{Navigation-Line|Japan}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Britain}}{{Specs-Link|scimitar_f1}}
  
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{{Navigation-Line|China}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Japan}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_japan_blue_impulse}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104j}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2}}
  
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{{Navigation-Line|Italy}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_r4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_ys}}
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{{Navigation-Line|China}}{{Specs-Link|f-86f-40_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_100f_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}
  
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{{Navigation-Line|France}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|md_460}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Italy}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late_italy}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_italy}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104s}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104s_cb}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_r4}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fiat_g91_ys}}
  
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet attackers'''}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}
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{{Navigation-Line|France}}{{Specs-Link|sea_hawk_fga50_netherlands}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|md_460}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|md_460_yt_cup_2019}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-86k_late}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d_france}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_belgium}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-8e_fn}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|hunter_f6_holland}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_milan}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_3c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_3e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_5ba}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|mirage_5f}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_early_iaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|a_4e_late_iaf}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|buccaneer_s2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|etndard_4m}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|fj_4b_agm_12b}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_111a}}
  
 
{{Navigation-End}}
 
{{Navigation-End}}
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== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.'' -->
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Like other early air-to-air missiles, the AIM-9B is limited in is destructive capabilities.  Although it contains enough explosive filler to eliminate or cripple an enemy given a direct hit, those direct hits may be hard to come by.  For one, this missile only has a 6G overload.  Therefore, it is quite easy for an enemy to dodge it.  All the enemy needs to do is to turn slightly, and the missile will likely miss.  For greatest lethality, use this missile on slow targets that cannot manoeuvre well (though it should be noted that in this case, guns may be just as effective).
 
  
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Additionally, the AIM-9B takes quite a length of time to acquire a target. (The time required may be reduced if the enemy is using their afterburner.)  So, even achieving a firing solution may prove difficult.
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Like other early air-to-air missiles, the AIM-9B is limited in is destructive capabilities. Although it contains enough explosive filler to eliminate or cripple an enemy given a direct hit, those direct hits may be hard to come by. For one, this missile only has a 10G overload. Therefore, it is quite easy for an enemy to dodge it. All the enemy needs to do is to turn slightly, and the missile will likely miss. For greatest lethality, use this missile on slow targets that cannot manoeuvre well (though, in this case, guns may be just as effective).
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Still, as one of the first air-to-air missiles in the game, the missile is quite effective for dealing with enemies in the right circumstances. Careful positioning and trigger discipline are required. In lower-tier jet combat, the AIM-9B is the gold standard for long to medium range air-to-air combat.
  
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Still, as one of the first air-to-air missiles in the game, the missile is quite effective for dealing with enemies in the right circumstances.  Careful positioning and trigger discipline are required.    In lower-tier jet combat, the AIM-9B is the gold standard for long to medium range air-to-air combat.
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! colspan="2" | Missile characteristics
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|-
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| '''Mass''' || 72 kg
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|-
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| '''Guidance''' || IR
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|-
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| '''Aspect''' || Rear-aspect
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|-
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| '''Lock range (rear-aspect)''' || 4 km
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|-
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| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
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|-
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| '''Maximum speed''' || 1.7 M
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|-
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| '''Maximum overload''' || 10 G
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|-
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| '''Missile guidance time''' || 20 secs
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|-
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| '''Explosive mass (TNT eq.)''' || 7.62 kg
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|-
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|}
  
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
=== Effective damage ===
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''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)''
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<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
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With a 4.76 kg HBX explosive (7.62 kg TNT equivalent) warhead, the AIM-9B Sidewinder can ensure the destruction of the hit aircraft's tail section. Even a near-miss with the proximity fuse detonating can cause significant damage to the rear control surfaces so that a critical hit will cause the plane to lose air controllability, leading to a credit when the plane eventually smashes into the ground.
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
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''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''
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<!-- ''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.'' -->
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{{AIM-9 Comparison Table}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)'' -->
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This missile is best utilised when trailing an enemy. This will allow the pilot enough time to close the distance and acquire a target lock before firing the missile. The AIM-9B is especially effective against jet bombers, such as the [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)]], which generally have poor manoeuvrability.
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This missile is best utilised when trailing an enemy. This will allow the pilot enough time to close the distance and acquire a target lock before firing the missile. The AIM-9B is especially effective against jet bombers, such as the [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)]], which generally have poor manoeuvrability.
  
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When firing this missile, watch out for nearby friendly aircraft, and for the sun. The missile may lock onto either of these, causing at the best a miss, and at the worst an unintended team-kill.
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The missile can hit targets at up to 2.7 km of range if they are moving in a straight line and make no effort to dodge. You can use this to your advantage by launching at aircraft high above you, who believe themselves to be safe due to their altitude, and may thus neglect to check their rear.
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Firing the missile at aircraft moving in a straight line less than 900 m away usually guarantees a kill, as by the time the target can react to the missile, it is already upon them.
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When firing this missile, watch out for nearby friendly aircraft, and for the sun. The missile may lock onto either of these, causing at the best a miss, and at worst an unintended teamkill.
  
 
The AIM-9B may be used to force the enemy to manoeuvre and bleed their speed, making it easier for the pilot to acquire a traditional firing solution and destroy the enemy with cannon fire.
 
The AIM-9B may be used to force the enemy to manoeuvre and bleed their speed, making it easier for the pilot to acquire a traditional firing solution and destroy the enemy with cannon fire.
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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* Effective at destroying low energy targets
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* Decent effective range can travel far in a straight line to intercept
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* Decent effective range; can travel fairly far in a straight line to intercept
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* Very effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability
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* Effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability, aircraft compressing at high speed, and low energy targets
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* Effective against aircraft compressing at high speed
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
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* Narrow firing circle compared to later missiles with uncaged seekers
 
* Narrow firing circle compared to later missiles with uncaged seekers
 
* Poorest range out of all AIM-9 variants
 
* Poorest range out of all AIM-9 variants
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== History ==
 
== History ==
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''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>.''
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<!-- ''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>.'' -->
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===Development===
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The missile's history starts at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) at China Lake in 1947.<ref name="Goebel2019">Goebel 2019</ref> Under William B. McLean, the missile conception sprang from mating lead-sulfide proximity fuzes that were sensitive to infrared radiation with a guidance system to home onto the infrared source.<ref name="HollwayFOX2">Hollway "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!"</ref> Initially his own private project, McLean eventually received approval by Admiral William S. Parsons for development.<ref name="Goebel2019" />These missiles were first test fired in 1951, with the first air-to-air hit was made on 11 September 1953 on a drone.<ref name="ParschAIM9">Parsch 2008</ref> This experimental missile would be designated as the ''XAAM-N-7''. The missile would also earn the name "Sidewinder" by the development team, named after the desert rattlesnake that senses its prey's heat and moves in a winding motion.<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="HollwayFOX2" />
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Initially a US Navy project, the US Air Force was urged into participating by Howard Wilcox, the next project lead after McLean was promoted to upper management at NOTS in 1954.<ref name="Goebel2019" /> This culminated in a shoot-off in June 1955 between the Navy's Sidewinder against the Air Force's GAR-2 Falcon missile. The Sidewinder's performance in this event resulted in the US Air Force putting their support in the Sidewinder.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> By May 1956, the missile was officially adopted as the ''AAM-N-7'' for the US Navy and the ''GAR-8'' for the US Air Force.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /><ref name="GervasiArsenal">Gervasi 1984, p.256</ref> These designation would remain until 27 June 1963, when the Sidewinder's designations were standardised across all armed services as the '''AIM-9'''.<ref name="ParschDesignation">Parsch 2020</ref>
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===AIM-9B===
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The '''AIM-9B''' (pre-1963 Navy designation ''AAM-N-7 Sidewinder IA'') was the initial production version of the Sidewinder.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> More than 80,000 units of the AIM-9B Sidewinder would be produced.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" />
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[[File:AIM-9B-9D-9C NAN3-71.jpg|x250px|right|thumb|none|A rack of Sidewinder missiles used by the US Navy. From top to bottom: [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]], [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], and AIM-9C.]]
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The AIM-9B would see combat first over the Taiwan Strait in 1958, where Chinese MiGs and Taiwanese F-86 Sabres faced off in air battles. The first AIM-9B were sent in September to assist the ROC air force, which were equipped onto their Sabres.<ref name="HollwayFOX2" /> The first air-to-air kill with a Sidewinder was recorded on 24 September 1958, in which a Sabre shot down a MiG-15 with an AIM-9B. During these battles, an AIM-9B Sidewinder successfully hit a Chinese MiG, but failed to explode, leaving it lodged in the fuselage. The MiG flew back to China with its baggage of an intact example of a heat-seeking missile. The AIM-9B was looked at by Soviet engineers, who reversed engineered the design into the [[R-3S|R-3]], or K-13, missile (NATO reporting name: AA-2 Atoll).<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="LaiDragon">Lai 2016</ref>
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The AIM-9B would also see widespread service in Vietnam. Its first aerial victory over Vietnam is on 10 July 1965, when two [[F-4C Phantom II]] from the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron downed two [[MiG-17]] with AIM-9Bs.<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg1">Siemann 1974, p.xii</ref> The AIM-9B would eventually account for around 28 MiG kills with 175 launches between 1965 to 1968.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> However, the missile's limitations became more apparent overtime. The range was short, the manoeuvrability leaves a lot to be desired, the reliability is poor, and the missile's IR lock can be easily interfered by sun, cloud, and even the ground.<ref name="HollwayFOX2" /><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9" /> These problems led to continued development of the Sidewinder. The US Navy's efforts became the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]] variant, while the US Air Force developed the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]].<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="ParschAIM9" /><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9" />
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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''An excellent addition to the article would be a video guide, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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;Videos
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{{Youtube-gallery|KpWGXcI9PQc|'''The Shooting Range #129''' - ''Pages of History'' section at 10:42 discusses the AIM-9B Sidewinder.}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
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<!-- ''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;''
 
* ''reference to the article about the variant of the weapon;''
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* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.''
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* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
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;[[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)|Related development]]
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* [[AIM-9D Sidewinder]] - Improved variant by the US Navy
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* [[AIM-9E Sidewinder]] - Improved variant by the US Air Force
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* [[AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder]]
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;Similar-performing missiles
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* [[R-3S]]
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* [[PL-2]]
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* [[Rb24]]
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* [[Shafrir]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
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<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
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* ''other literature.''
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=== References ===
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;Citations
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<references />
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 +
;Bibliography
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 +
* Gervasi, Tom. ''America's War Machine: the Pursuit of Global Dominance: Arsenal of Democracy III''. Grove Press, Inc., 1984.
 +
* Goebel, Greg. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." ''Air Vectors'', 01 Apr. 2019, [http://www.airvectors.net/avsdaam.html#m5 Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034852/http://www.airvectors.net/avsdaam.html Web Archive] from 12 Nov 2020)
 +
* Hollway, Don. "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!" ''HistoryNet'', [https://www.historynet.com/fox-two.htm Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210323093357/https://www.historynet.com/fox-two.htm Web Archive] from 23 Mar 2021)
 +
* Kopp, Carlo. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." ''Air Power Australia'', 27 Jan 2014, [http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402165256/http://www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html Web Archive] from 02 Apr 2021)
 +
* Lai, Benjamin. ''The Dragon's Teeth: The Chinese People's Liberation Army - Its History, Traditions, and Air Sea and Land Capability in the 21st Century.'' Casemate Publishers, 14 July 2016.
 +
* Parsch, Andreas. "AIM-9." ''Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles'', Designation-Systems.Net, 09 July 2008, [http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210402165800/http://www.designation-systems.info/dusrm/m-9.html Web Archive] from 02 Apr 2021)
 +
* Parsch, Andreas. "Current Designations of U.S. Unmanned Military Aerospace Vehicles." ''U.S. Military Aviation Designation Systems'', Designation-Systems.Net, 30 March 2020, [http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/missiles.html Website]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210603010107/http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/missiles.html Web Archive] from 03 Jun 2021)
 +
* Siemann, John W. ''Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. COMBAT SNAP (AIM-9J Southeast Asia Introduction)''. Defense Technical Information Center, 24 Apr 1974.
  
 
{{Missiles}}
 
{{Missiles}}
  
 
[[Category:Suspended armaments]]
 
[[Category:Suspended armaments]]

Latest revision as of 23:58, 27 October 2024

This page is about the American air-to-air missile AIM-9B Sidewinder. For other versions, see AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family).
An AIM-9B being fired

Description

The AIM-9B Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)


The AIM-9B Sidewinder is an American infrared homing air-to-air missile which was introduced in Update 1.85 "Supersonic". The AIM-9B is the earliest and least capable member of the Sidewinder family of missiles found in the game. It was the basis for the later Sidewinder missiles, as well as many other missiles found in the game. The Rb24 is an AIM-9B built under license in Sweden, while the R-3S, R-13M1 and PL-2 are all descendants of the Vympel R-3 missile, which was a Soviet reverse-engineered version of the AIM-9B. The AIM-9B also served as the basis for the design of the Israeli Shafrir missile, although there are notable differences between the two.

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Jet fighters 
USA  F3H-2 · F4D-1 · F-4C Phantom II · F8U-2 · F-8E
  F9F-8 · F11F-1 · F-100D · F-104A · F-104C
Germany  ◄CL-13B Mk.6 · ◄F-86K · ◄F-104G · ◄G.91 R/4 · ◄Sea Hawk Mk.100
Britain  Scimitar F Mk.1
Japan  F-86F-40 ▅ · F-86F-40 JASDF▅ · F-104J · T-2 Early · T-2
China  ␗F-86F-40 · ␗F-100A · ␗F-100F · ␗F-104A · ␗F-104G
Italy  ▄F-86K · ▄F-104G · F-104S · ▄F-104S TAF · G.91 R/4 · G.91 YS
France  ◘Sea Hawk Mk.50 · Super Mystere B2 · ␙Super Mystere B2 · ▄F-86K · ▄F-100D · ▄F-104G · ▄F-8E(FN) · ◘Hunter F.6 · Milan · Mirage IIIC · Mirage IIIE · ▄Mirage 5BA · Mirage 5F
Strike aircraft  A-4B · A-4E Early · A-4E Early (M) · A-4E · Buccaneer S.2 · Etendard IVM · FJ-4B · FJ-4B VMF-232 · F-105D · F-111A

General info

Like other early air-to-air missiles, the AIM-9B is limited in is destructive capabilities. Although it contains enough explosive filler to eliminate or cripple an enemy given a direct hit, those direct hits may be hard to come by. For one, this missile only has a 10G overload. Therefore, it is quite easy for an enemy to dodge it. All the enemy needs to do is to turn slightly, and the missile will likely miss. For greatest lethality, use this missile on slow targets that cannot manoeuvre well (though, in this case, guns may be just as effective).

Still, as one of the first air-to-air missiles in the game, the missile is quite effective for dealing with enemies in the right circumstances. Careful positioning and trigger discipline are required. In lower-tier jet combat, the AIM-9B is the gold standard for long to medium range air-to-air combat.

Missile characteristics
Mass 72 kg
Guidance IR
Aspect Rear-aspect
Lock range (rear-aspect) 4 km
Launch range 10 km
Maximum speed 1.7 M
Maximum overload 10 G
Missile guidance time 20 secs
Explosive mass (TNT eq.) 7.62 kg

Effective damage

With a 4.76 kg HBX explosive (7.62 kg TNT equivalent) warhead, the AIM-9B Sidewinder can ensure the destruction of the hit aircraft's tail section. Even a near-miss with the proximity fuse detonating can cause significant damage to the rear control surfaces so that a critical hit will cause the plane to lose air controllability, leading to a credit when the plane eventually smashes into the ground.

Comparison with analogues

  • AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder - A European-licensed version of the AIM-9B with their own improvements; however the performance in-game are quite similar.
  • R-3S/PL-2 - Infamous as a reverse-engineered variant of the AIM-9B, the R-3 missile shares many of its in-game performances with the AIM-9B, only falling slightly short in locking and launching range.
  • Shafrir - Shares in-game performance values despite their design differences
  • Rb24 - Licensed-produced version of the AIM-9B for the Swedish, and as such shares in-game performance values.
Missile Guidance Lock range
(rear-aspect)(km) 		Launch range
(km) 		Maximum speed
(Mach) 		Maximum overload
(g) 		Mass
(kg) 		TNT Equivalent
(kg)
Type Aspect Time Uncaged seeker Radar slaving
USA flag.png AIM-9B Sidewinder IR Rear 20 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 4 10 1.7 10 72 7.62
USA flag.png AIM-9C Sidewinder SARH Front 60 Icon RedXCross.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 9 18 2.5 18 95 4.69
USA flag.png AIM-9D Sidewinder[note 1] IR Rear 20 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 5.5 18 2.5 18 88 4.69
USA flag.png AIM-9E Sidewinder[note 2] IR Rear 20 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon RedXCross.png 5.5 18 2.8 10 76 7.62
USA flag.png AIM-9G Sidewinder IR Rear 60 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 5.5 18 2.5 18 88 3.53
USA flag.png AIM-9H Sidewinder IR Rear 60 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 5.5 18 2.5 18 88 3.53
USA flag.png AIM-9J Sidewinder[note 3] IR Rear 40 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon RedXCross.png 5.5 18 2.5 20 76 7.62
USA flag.png AIM-9L Sidewinder IR All 60 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 11 18 2.5 30 84 4.58
USA flag.png AIM-9M Sidewinder IR All 60 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 11 18 2.5 30 84 4.58
USA flag.png AIM-9P Sidewinder IR Rear 40 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 5.5 18 2.5 20 76.93 7.62
USA flag.png AIM-9P4 Sidewinder IR All 40 Icon GreenCheckmark.png Icon GreenCheckmark.png 11 18 2.5 20 76.93 7.62
FRG flag.png AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder IR Rear 20 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 5.5 10 1.7 10 72 7.62
Israel flag.png Shafrir IR Rear 20 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 7 10 1.7 11 65 7.62
Sweden flag.png RB24 IR Rear 20 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 4 10 1.7 10 72 7.62
USSR flag.png R-3S IR Rear 21 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 9 10 1.7 10 75 8.8
China flag.png PL-2 IR Rear 21 Icon RedXCross.png Icon RedXCross.png 9 10 1.7 10 75 8.8
  1. ↑ Successor to the AIM-9B
  2. ↑ Successor to the AIM-9B
  3. ↑ Upgrade modification often found on aircraft with AIM-9B

Usage in battles

This missile is best utilised when trailing an enemy. This will allow the pilot enough time to close the distance and acquire a target lock before firing the missile. The AIM-9B is especially effective against jet bombers, such as the Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France), which generally have poor manoeuvrability.

The missile can hit targets at up to 2.7 km of range if they are moving in a straight line and make no effort to dodge. You can use this to your advantage by launching at aircraft high above you, who believe themselves to be safe due to their altitude, and may thus neglect to check their rear.

Firing the missile at aircraft moving in a straight line less than 900 m away usually guarantees a kill, as by the time the target can react to the missile, it is already upon them.

When firing this missile, watch out for nearby friendly aircraft, and for the sun. The missile may lock onto either of these, causing at the best a miss, and at worst an unintended teamkill.

The AIM-9B may be used to force the enemy to manoeuvre and bleed their speed, making it easier for the pilot to acquire a traditional firing solution and destroy the enemy with cannon fire.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent effective range; can travel fairly far in a straight line to intercept
  • Effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability, aircraft compressing at high speed, and low energy targets

Cons:

  • Narrow firing circle compared to later missiles with uncaged seekers
  • Poorest range out of all AIM-9 variants
  • Often loses track when the target manoeuvres in more than one dimension or turns sharply.

History

Development

The missile's history starts at the Naval Ordnance Test Station (NOTS) at China Lake in 1947.[1] Under William B. McLean, the missile conception sprang from mating lead-sulfide proximity fuzes that were sensitive to infrared radiation with a guidance system to home onto the infrared source.[2] Initially his own private project, McLean eventually received approval by Admiral William S. Parsons for development.[1]These missiles were first test fired in 1951, with the first air-to-air hit was made on 11 September 1953 on a drone.[3] This experimental missile would be designated as the XAAM-N-7. The missile would also earn the name "Sidewinder" by the development team, named after the desert rattlesnake that senses its prey's heat and moves in a winding motion.[1][2]

Initially a US Navy project, the US Air Force was urged into participating by Howard Wilcox, the next project lead after McLean was promoted to upper management at NOTS in 1954.[1] This culminated in a shoot-off in June 1955 between the Navy's Sidewinder against the Air Force's GAR-2 Falcon missile. The Sidewinder's performance in this event resulted in the US Air Force putting their support in the Sidewinder.[3] By May 1956, the missile was officially adopted as the AAM-N-7 for the US Navy and the GAR-8 for the US Air Force.[3][4] These designation would remain until 27 June 1963, when the Sidewinder's designations were standardised across all armed services as the AIM-9.[5]

AIM-9B

The AIM-9B (pre-1963 Navy designation AAM-N-7 Sidewinder IA) was the initial production version of the Sidewinder.[3] More than 80,000 units of the AIM-9B Sidewinder would be produced.[4]

A rack of Sidewinder missiles used by the US Navy. From top to bottom: AIM-9B, AIM-9D, and AIM-9C.

The AIM-9B would see combat first over the Taiwan Strait in 1958, where Chinese MiGs and Taiwanese F-86 Sabres faced off in air battles. The first AIM-9B were sent in September to assist the ROC air force, which were equipped onto their Sabres.[2] The first air-to-air kill with a Sidewinder was recorded on 24 September 1958, in which a Sabre shot down a MiG-15 with an AIM-9B. During these battles, an AIM-9B Sidewinder successfully hit a Chinese MiG, but failed to explode, leaving it lodged in the fuselage. The MiG flew back to China with its baggage of an intact example of a heat-seeking missile. The AIM-9B was looked at by Soviet engineers, who reversed engineered the design into the R-3, or K-13, missile (NATO reporting name: AA-2 Atoll).[1][6]

The AIM-9B would also see widespread service in Vietnam. Its first aerial victory over Vietnam is on 10 July 1965, when two F-4C Phantom II from the 45th Tactical Fighter Squadron downed two MiG-17 with AIM-9Bs.[7] The AIM-9B would eventually account for around 28 MiG kills with 175 launches between 1965 to 1968.[8] However, the missile's limitations became more apparent overtime. The range was short, the manoeuvrability leaves a lot to be desired, the reliability is poor, and the missile's IR lock can be easily interfered by sun, cloud, and even the ground.[2][8] These problems led to continued development of the Sidewinder. The US Navy's efforts became the AIM-9D variant, while the US Air Force developed the AIM-9E.[1][3][8]

Media

Videos
The Shooting Range #129 - Pages of History section at 10:42 discusses the AIM-9B Sidewinder.

See also

Related development
Similar-performing missiles

External links

References

Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Goebel 2019
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hollway "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!"
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Parsch 2008
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gervasi 1984, p.256
  5. ↑ Parsch 2020
  6. ↑ Lai 2016
  7. ↑ Siemann 1974, p.xii
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Kopp 2014
Bibliography
  • Gervasi, Tom. America's War Machine: the Pursuit of Global Dominance: Arsenal of Democracy III. Grove Press, Inc., 1984.
  • Goebel, Greg. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." Air Vectors, 01 Apr. 2019, Website. (Web Archive from 12 Nov 2020)
  • Hollway, Don. "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!" HistoryNet, Website. (Web Archive from 23 Mar 2021)
  • Kopp, Carlo. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." Air Power Australia, 27 Jan 2014, Website. (Web Archive from 02 Apr 2021)
  • Lai, Benjamin. The Dragon's Teeth: The Chinese People's Liberation Army - Its History, Traditions, and Air Sea and Land Capability in the 21st Century. Casemate Publishers, 14 July 2016.
  • Parsch, Andreas. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Designation-Systems.Net, 09 July 2008, Website. (Web Archive from 02 Apr 2021)
  • Parsch, Andreas. "Current Designations of U.S. Unmanned Military Aerospace Vehicles." U.S. Military Aviation Designation Systems, Designation-Systems.Net, 30 March 2020, Website. (Web Archive from 03 Jun 2021)
  • Siemann, John W. Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. COMBAT SNAP (AIM-9J Southeast Asia Introduction). Defense Technical Information Center, 24 Apr 1974.


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
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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 
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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 
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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 
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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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