Difference between revisions of "AIM-9E Sidewinder"

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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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}}
 
[[File:Missile AIM-9E Mount F-4E.png|thumbnail|right|x250px|Two AIM-9E mounted onto a pylon on a [[F-4E]].]]
 
[[File:Missile AIM-9E Mount F-4E.png|thumbnail|right|x250px|Two AIM-9E mounted onto a pylon on a [[F-4E]].]]
  
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[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9E Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9E Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
 
[[File:WeaponImage AIM-9E Sidewinder.png|thumb|left|420px|The AIM-9E Sidewinder missile (scale is approximate)]]
 
{{Break}}
 
{{Break}}
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The '''AIM-9E''' is an American [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]].
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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]]. It was introduced in [[Update 1.87 "Locked On"]].
  
 
=== 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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* {{Specs-Link|a_7d}}
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{{Navigation-Start|Vehicles equipped with this weapon}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-4c}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-4e}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Jet fighters'''}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-4ej}}
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{{Navigation-Line|USA}}{{Specs-Link|f-100d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4e}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5a}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5c}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-5e}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-100d}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Germany}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4f}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4f_late}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-104j}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Britain}}{{Specs-Link|hunter_f9_rhodesia}}
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* {{Specs-Link|hunter_f9_rhodesia}}
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{{Navigation-Line|Japan}}{{Specs-Link|t2_early}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|t2}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f1}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4ej}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-4ej_adtw}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104j}}
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* {{Specs-Link|t2}}
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{{Navigation-Line|China}}{{Specs-Link|f-100a_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f_100f_china}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_china}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f1}}
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{{Navigation-Line|France}}{{Specs-Link|f-104g_belgium}}
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{{Navigation-First-Line|'''Strike aircraft'''}}{{Specs-Link|a_7d}}{{-}}{{Specs-Link|f-105d}}
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{{Navigation-End}}
  
 
== 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.'' -->
 
The AIM-9E is a direct upgrade over the previous [[AIM-9B]] missile, and on many aircraft serves as a upgrade over that missile. The AIM-9E provides a missile with a higher top speed and therefore higher energy meaning it is more capable of hitting targets at slightly further ranges and gives the target less time to dodge. The missile features a much larger seeker cone meaning the missile will not lose lock as easily.
 
The AIM-9E is a direct upgrade over the previous [[AIM-9B]] missile, and on many aircraft serves as a upgrade over that missile. The AIM-9E provides a missile with a higher top speed and therefore higher energy meaning it is more capable of hitting targets at slightly further ranges and gives the target less time to dodge. The missile features a much larger seeker cone meaning the missile will not lose lock as easily.
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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''' || 76 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)''' || 5.5 km
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|-
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| '''Launch range''' || 18 km
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|-
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| '''Maximum speed''' || 2.5 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''' || 7.62 kg TNTeq
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|-
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|}
  
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
=== Effective damage ===
 
<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
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Like the -9B, this weapon features a 4.5 kg warhead that will generally destroy an aircraft in one shot providing the weapon scores a direct hit. In some cases the weapon may deal crippling damage such as setting fires or blowing off a wing without necessarily scoring a kill. Not scoring a direct hit will result in greatly reduced damage.
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Like the AIM-9B, this weapon features a 4.5 kg warhead that will generally destroy an aircraft in one shot providing the weapon scores a direct hit. In some cases the weapon may deal crippling damage such as setting fires or blowing off a wing without necessarily scoring a kill. Not scoring a direct hit will result in greatly reduced damage.
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
−
<!-- ''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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Damage is very similar in practice to almost all missiles of this era.
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{{AIM-9 Comparison Table}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
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RB: When the seeker head is primed, a large circle and a small circle will appear. The small circle is the acquisition circle, an enemy plane must be in this circle to be locked, the large circle is the limit of lock, i.e if the target leaves this circle lock will be lost. To give best chances of success this should be used to "lead" a target. e.g a target moving left to right should be placed in the left part of the large circle to give the missile a "head start" in intercepting its target.
 
RB: When the seeker head is primed, a large circle and a small circle will appear. The small circle is the acquisition circle, an enemy plane must be in this circle to be locked, the large circle is the limit of lock, i.e if the target leaves this circle lock will be lost. To give best chances of success this should be used to "lead" a target. e.g a target moving left to right should be placed in the left part of the large circle to give the missile a "head start" in intercepting its target.
  
−
SB: The missile is used in a similar sense to the -9B but will be more forgiving and versatile. It can be hard to tell what your limits of lock are but experience will help. To lock place the target in the cross hair while the missile is searching, once the high tone for a lock is heard try place the cross hair significantly a head of the enemy as if making a deflection shot. You must reduce your G loading before firing but not while holding lock. Testing seems to indicate that you must be below 3 or 4G to fire. Like the -9B, the missile works best in surprise attacks and is more resistant to manoeuvres than its predecessor. The missile is great for taking down bombers without dealing with gunners, especially unaware ones. Can easily score a 100% P(k) against AI bombers.
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SB: The missile is used in a similar sense to the AIM-9B but will be more forgiving and versatile. It can be hard to tell what your limits of lock are but experience will help. To lock place the target in the cross hair while the missile is searching, once the high tone for a lock is heard try place the cross hair significantly a head of the enemy as if making a deflection shot. You must reduce your G loading before firing but not while holding lock. Testing seems to indicate that you must be below 3 or 4G to fire. Like the -9B, the missile works best in surprise attacks and is more resistant to manoeuvres than its predecessor. The missile is great for taking down bombers without dealing with gunners, especially unaware ones. Can easily score a 100% P(k) against AI bombers.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
  
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* Mach 2.5 as opposed to 1.7
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* Decent top speed of Mach 2.5  
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* Wide seeker head
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* Wide seeker head with an uncaged seeker (allows missile to be "lead")
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* Increased effective range
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* Increased effective range and decreased time to target
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* Decreased time to target
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
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* Retains 10G limit
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* Retains poor manoeuvrability and 10G limit of the AIM-9B; can still be easily defeated with minor maneuvers
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* Has low G limit for launch
 
−
* Rear aspect
 
  
 
== 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>.'' -->
 
===Development===
 
===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</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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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</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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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>
  
 
===AIM-9E===
 
===AIM-9E===
−
While the US Navy improved on the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|initial production model]] into the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], the US Air Force lagged behind due to development into other projects such as the AIM-4 ''Falcon''.<ref name="Goebel2019"/> However, the US Air Force eventually came around to improving the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile for their fighters.
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While the US Navy improved on the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|initial production model]] into the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], the US Air Force lagged behind due to development into other projects such as the AIM-4 ''Falcon''.<ref name="Goebel2019" /> However, the US Air Force eventually came around to improving the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile for their fighters.
  
−
Improvements over the AIM-9B came with a reduced drag conical shape, compared to the US Navy's ogival shape in the AIM-9D. Although the upgrades to the optical assembly had a lower frequency rate than the AIM-9D, it had a faster tracking rate.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> The biggest change to the missile was the implementation of Peltier thermoelectric cooling for the infrared seeker, which eliminated the need of nitrogen gas for cooling in previous models, and can run infinitely so long as electrical power can be maintained.<ref name="Goebel2019"/><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9"/> These upgrades were implemented into the US Air Force's Sidewinders as the '''AIM-9E''' by the late 1960s.<ref name="Goebel2019"/> 5,000 AIM-9B versions were converted into the AIM-9E.<ref name="GervasiArsenal"/> A later improvement in the ''AIM-9E-2'' was also made with a reduced-smoke motor.<ref name="ParschAIM9"/>
+
Improvements over the AIM-9B came with a reduced drag conical shape, compared to the US Navy's ogival shape in the AIM-9D. Although the upgrades to the optical assembly had a lower frequency rate than the AIM-9D, it had a faster tracking rate.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> The biggest change to the missile was the implementation of Peltier thermoelectric cooling for the infrared seeker, which eliminated the need of nitrogen gas for cooling in previous models, and can run infinitely so long as electrical power can be maintained.<ref name="Goebel2019" /><ref name="KoppAUSAIM9" /> These upgrades were implemented into the US Air Force's Sidewinders as the '''AIM-9E''' by the late 1960s.<ref name="Goebel2019" /> 5,000 AIM-9B versions were converted into the AIM-9E.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" /> A later improvement in the ''AIM-9E-2'' was also made with a reduced-smoke motor.<ref name="ParschAIM9" />
  
 
The AIM-9E began appearing in Vietnam for the US Air Force sometime after the conclusion of the 1968 ''Operation Rolling Thunder'' and became one of their main missile armament. However, intense air-to-air activity in Vietnam were not present until 1972, with the advent of ''Operation Linebacker''. From January to October 1972, there were 71 AIM-9E missile launch attempts. However, only 6 missiles managed to down an aircraft, with 1 other hitting an aircraft. Factors affecting this low performance were put down to "air crew training, launches out of the envelope, the tactical situation, marginal tone, tone discrimination, the missile going ballistic, and other malfunctions."<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg1">Siemann 1974, p.9-12</ref>
 
The AIM-9E began appearing in Vietnam for the US Air Force sometime after the conclusion of the 1968 ''Operation Rolling Thunder'' and became one of their main missile armament. However, intense air-to-air activity in Vietnam were not present until 1972, with the advent of ''Operation Linebacker''. From January to October 1972, there were 71 AIM-9E missile launch attempts. However, only 6 missiles managed to down an aircraft, with 1 other hitting an aircraft. Factors affecting this low performance were put down to "air crew training, launches out of the envelope, the tactical situation, marginal tone, tone discrimination, the missile going ballistic, and other malfunctions."<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg1">Siemann 1974, p.9-12</ref>
  
−
Due to these results, the US Air Force continued development of the AIM-9 with focus on short-range dogfights against a maneuvering enemy. Initially dubbed the AIM-9E "Extended Performance" missile, the program would be designated as the ''[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]''.<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg2">Siemann 1974, p.15-16</ref>
+
Due to these results, the US Air Force continued development of the AIM-9 with focus on short-range dogfights against a manoeuvring enemy. Initially dubbed the AIM-9E "Extended Performance" missile, the program would be designated as the ''[[AIM-9J Sidewinder|AIM-9J]]''.<ref name="DTIC_AIM-9Jpg2">Siemann 1974, p.15-16</ref>
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
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* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''references to approximate analogues by other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
−
* [[AIM-9B]]
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;Related development
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* [[AIM-9J]]
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* [[AIM-9L]]
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* [[AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family)]]
  
 
== 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:''
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.'' -->
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=== References ===
  
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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;Citations
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
−
* ''other literature.''-->
 
−
;References:
 
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
−
;Bibliography:
+
;Bibliography
 +
 
 
* Gervasi, Tom. ''America's War Machine: the Pursuit of Global Dominance: Arsenal of Democracy III''. Grove Press, Inc., 1984.
 
* 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].
 
* Goebel, Greg. "The Falcon & Sidewinder Air-To-Air Missiles." ''Air Vectors'', 01 Apr. 2019, [http://www.airvectors.net/avsdaam.html#m5 Website].
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* 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].
 
* 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].
 
* 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].
 
* 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].
−
* Siemann, John W. ''Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. COMBAT SNAP (AIM-9J Southeast Asia Introduction)''. Defense Technical Information Center, 24 Apr 1974.
+
* 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 00:01, 28 October 2024

This page is about the American air-to-air missile AIM-9E Sidewinder. For other versions, see AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family).
Two AIM-9E mounted onto a pylon on a F-4E.

Description

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


The AIM-9E Sidewinder is an American infrared homing air-to-air missile. It was introduced in Update 1.87 "Locked On".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

Vehicles equipped with this weapon
Jet fighters 
USA  F-100D · F-4C Phantom II · F-4E Phantom II · F-5A · F-5C · F-5E
Germany  ◄F-104G · ◄F-4F Early · ◄F-4F
Britain  Hunter FGA.9
Japan  T-2 Early · T-2 · F-1 · F-4EJ Phantom II · F-4EJ ADTW · F-104J
China  ␗F-100A · ␗F-100F · ␗F-104G
France  ▄F-104G
Strike aircraft  A-7D · F-105D

General info

The AIM-9E is a direct upgrade over the previous AIM-9B missile, and on many aircraft serves as a upgrade over that missile. The AIM-9E provides a missile with a higher top speed and therefore higher energy meaning it is more capable of hitting targets at slightly further ranges and gives the target less time to dodge. The missile features a much larger seeker cone meaning the missile will not lose lock as easily.

Missile characteristics
Mass 76 kg
Guidance IR
Aspect Rear-aspect
Lock range (rear-aspect) 5.5 km
Launch range 18 km
Maximum speed 2.5 M
Maximum overload 10 G
Missile guidance time 20 secs
Explosive mass 7.62 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

Like the AIM-9B, this weapon features a 4.5 kg warhead that will generally destroy an aircraft in one shot providing the weapon scores a direct hit. In some cases the weapon may deal crippling damage such as setting fires or blowing off a wing without necessarily scoring a kill. Not scoring a direct hit will result in greatly reduced damage.

Comparison with analogues

Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.

  • 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

Used to engage air targets in all three game modes. The missile is capable of firing from a significant angle around the pipper, but use at the extreme edge of lock on circle will almost always result in a miss.

RB: When the seeker head is primed, a large circle and a small circle will appear. The small circle is the acquisition circle, an enemy plane must be in this circle to be locked, the large circle is the limit of lock, i.e if the target leaves this circle lock will be lost. To give best chances of success this should be used to "lead" a target. e.g a target moving left to right should be placed in the left part of the large circle to give the missile a "head start" in intercepting its target.

SB: The missile is used in a similar sense to the AIM-9B but will be more forgiving and versatile. It can be hard to tell what your limits of lock are but experience will help. To lock place the target in the cross hair while the missile is searching, once the high tone for a lock is heard try place the cross hair significantly a head of the enemy as if making a deflection shot. You must reduce your G loading before firing but not while holding lock. Testing seems to indicate that you must be below 3 or 4G to fire. Like the -9B, the missile works best in surprise attacks and is more resistant to manoeuvres than its predecessor. The missile is great for taking down bombers without dealing with gunners, especially unaware ones. Can easily score a 100% P(k) against AI bombers.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Decent top speed of Mach 2.5
  • Wide seeker head with an uncaged seeker (allows missile to be "lead")
  • Increased effective range and decreased time to target

Cons:

  • Retains poor manoeuvrability and 10G limit of the AIM-9B; can still be easily defeated with minor maneuvers

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-9E

While the US Navy improved on the initial production model into the AIM-9D, the US Air Force lagged behind due to development into other projects such as the AIM-4 Falcon.[1] However, the US Air Force eventually came around to improving the AIM-9B Sidewinder missile for their fighters.

Improvements over the AIM-9B came with a reduced drag conical shape, compared to the US Navy's ogival shape in the AIM-9D. Although the upgrades to the optical assembly had a lower frequency rate than the AIM-9D, it had a faster tracking rate.[6] The biggest change to the missile was the implementation of Peltier thermoelectric cooling for the infrared seeker, which eliminated the need of nitrogen gas for cooling in previous models, and can run infinitely so long as electrical power can be maintained.[1][6] These upgrades were implemented into the US Air Force's Sidewinders as the AIM-9E by the late 1960s.[1] 5,000 AIM-9B versions were converted into the AIM-9E.[4] A later improvement in the AIM-9E-2 was also made with a reduced-smoke motor.[3]

The AIM-9E began appearing in Vietnam for the US Air Force sometime after the conclusion of the 1968 Operation Rolling Thunder and became one of their main missile armament. However, intense air-to-air activity in Vietnam were not present until 1972, with the advent of Operation Linebacker. From January to October 1972, there were 71 AIM-9E missile launch attempts. However, only 6 missiles managed to down an aircraft, with 1 other hitting an aircraft. Factors affecting this low performance were put down to "air crew training, launches out of the envelope, the tactical situation, marginal tone, tone discrimination, the missile going ballistic, and other malfunctions."[7]

Due to these results, the US Air Force continued development of the AIM-9 with focus on short-range dogfights against a manoeuvring enemy. Initially dubbed the AIM-9E "Extended Performance" missile, the program would be designated as the AIM-9J.[8]

Media

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

See also

Related development

External links

References

Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Goebel 2019
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hollway
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Parsch 2008
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gervasi 1984, p.256
  5. ↑ Parsch 2020
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kopp 2014
  7. ↑ Siemann 1974, p.9-12
  8. ↑ Siemann 1974, p.15-16
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.
  • Hollway, Don. "The AIM-9 Sidewinder: Fox Two!" HistoryNet, Website.
  • Kopp, Carlo. "The Sidewinder Story: The Evolution of the AIM-9 Missile." Air Power Australia, 27 Jan 2014, Website.
  • Parsch, Andreas. "AIM-9." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Designation-Systems.Net, 09 July 2008, Website.
  • Parsch, Andreas. "Current Designations of U.S. Unmanned Military Aerospace Vehicles." U.S. Military Aviation Designation Systems, Designation-Systems.Net, 30 March 2020, Website.
  • 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
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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