Difference between revisions of "AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder"

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{{About
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| about = German 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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}}
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
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<!--''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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<!-- ''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 FGW.2 Sidewinder is an [[Air-to-air missiles#Infrared homing .28heat-seeking.29 missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"|Update 1.99]] "Starfighters." Found only on the German [[F-104G]], it exists as an exact copy of the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder]], despite being an upgraded AIM-9B that resembled the [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]] more closely. Thanks to being exactly identical to the AIM-9B, it performs exactly the same and thus should be used the same way.  
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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 a German [[Air-to-air_missiles#Infrared_homing_.28heat-seeking.29_missiles|infrared homing air-to-air missile]], it was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].
  
 
=== 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|f-4f}}
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* {{Specs-Link|f-4f_late}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|f-104g}}
 
* {{Specs-Link|f-104g}}
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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<!--''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.''-->
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<!-- ''Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the missile.'' -->
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Until the missile is updated to resemble it's real-life counterpart, the FGW.2 will be the same as the 9B. The missile's performance is generally sub-par in comparison to other missiles found around 9.0 to 10.7, thanks to the FGW.2 basing it's stats of a missile designed in 1954-6. With only 10G's of overload and a tracking rate of 11°/s, it performs terribly in high-G dogfights. 4 seconds of warm-up time also limits it's effectiveness, so don't expect to be throwing these around. Thankfully the only platform that gets this variant is the F-104G, so dogfighting is not advised.
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The AIM-9B FGW.2 is known also as the AIM-9F, an upgrade to the AIM-9B. The differences between the E and F variants are a different design philosophy including a slightly different sensor window, solid state electronics instead of vacuum tubes, and a new cooling system.
  
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The AIM-9B FGW.2 is known also as the AIM-9F, an upgrade to the AIM-9B that resembled an upgraded AIM-9E. Little is known on the specifics of the F variant, other than the sensor window being changed to green, upgraded tech to solid state electronics instead of vacuum tubes, and a new cooling system. This lack of exact information and a designation so similar to the AIM-9B is probably why Gaijin hasn't updated the missile to it's historical state.
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With similar performance to the AIM-9B, the FGW.2 should be treated the same way. The missile's performance is generally subpar in comparison to other missiles found in the same BR range, thanks to the FGW.2 base having stats of a missile designed in 1954-6. With only 10 G of overload, it performs terribly in high-G dogfights. The missile will be ready to fire in 1 second, while the target search time amounts to 20 seconds.  
 +
 
 +
{| 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)''' || 5.5 km
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|-
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| '''Launch range''' || 10 km
 +
|-
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| '''Maximum speed''' || 1.7 M
 +
|-
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| '''Maximum overload''' || 10 G
 +
|-
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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)''-->
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<!-- ''Describe the type of damage produced by this type of missile (high explosive, splash damage, etc)'' -->
  
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For being relatively bad to other missiles, the FGW.2 does not disappoint in the damage department. Like every other AAM, if this missile connects, it will 1-shot or at least deal critical damage to any aircraft. Obviously, it can't be used against ground targets, unless you count parked and active aircraft.
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While being relatively bad compared to other missiles, the FGW.2 does not disappoint in the damage department. Like every other AAM, if this missile connects, it will knock out or at least deal critical damage to any aircraft. Obviously, it can't be used against ground targets, unless you count parked and active aircraft.
  
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
=== Comparison with analogues ===
 
<!--''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''-->
 
<!--''Give a comparative description of missiles that have firepower equal to this weapon.''-->
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It's performance is identical to the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] and [[R-3S|R-3]] missiles, but is massively outperformed by mid-tier missiles like the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|E]], [[R-60]], and [[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550]]. It's lack of a moveable seeker-head, higher G-pulling, range, and sensitivity make it subpar if not for having 4 on a platform that is capable of traveling at Mach 2.
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Its performance is identical to the [[AIM-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]] and [[R-3S|R-3]] missiles, but is massively outperformed by mid-tier missiles like the [[AIM-9D Sidewinder|AIM-9D]], [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|E]], [[R-60]], and [[Matra R550 Magic 1|R550]]. Its lack of a movable seeker-head, higher G-pulling, range, and sensitivity make it subpar if not for having four missiles on a platform that is capable of traveling at Mach 2.
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{{AIM-9 Comparison Table}}
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
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<!--''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)''-->
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<!-- ''Describe situations when you would utilise this missile in-game (vehicle, pillbox, base, etc)'' -->
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This missile's best usage comes in 3 situations, low energy, roll-rate spamming and compressed enemies.
 
−
 
 
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Enemies at low energy can't dodge this missile, as their planes won't be able to maneuver above 10Gs.
 
  
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Enemies that constantly roll in order to dodge your guns will find the missile to be much more accurate, as their aileron rolls put them in a situation where they can't run.
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This missile's best usage comes in three situations, low energy, roll-rate spamming and compressed enemies:
  
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Enemies that have hit compression speeds will find your missiles hard to dodge as well. The [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|French Vautour bombers]], high speed [[MiG-15 (Family)|MiG-15]]'s, and [[F11F-1]]'s won't be able to outturn the missile's seeker at high speeds, and will be forced to either die or bleed enough speed to maneuver. It has a top speed of around 1.7 Mach, so the people who can outrun this missile with low maneuverability is other [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]]'s.
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* Enemies at low energy can't dodge this missile, as their planes won't be able to manoeuvre above 10Gs.
 +
* Enemies that constantly roll in order to dodge your guns will find the missile to be much more accurate, as their aileron rolls put them in a situation where they can't run.
 +
* Enemies that have high compression speeds will find your missiles hard to dodge as well. The [[Vautour IIA IDF/AF (France)|French Vautour bombers]], high speed [[MiG-15 (Family)|MiG-15]]'s and [[Yak-38]]/[[Yak-38M|38M]], and [[F11F-1]]'s won't be able to outturn the missile's seeker at high speeds, and will be forced to either bleed enough speed to manoeuvre or get hit by the warhead. It has a top speed of around Mach 1.7, so the planes that can outrun this missile with low manoeuvrability are other [[F-104 (Family)|F-104]]'s.
  
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Forcing enemies to bleed speed is more of this missile's job, but speed isn't a big deal for the F-104, so it's kind of redundant.
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Forcing enemies to bleed speed is more of this missile's job, but speed isn't generally a big deal for the jets it can be equipped on, so it's kind of redundant.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
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<!--''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.''-->
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the weaponry in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark pros and cons as a list.'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
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* Effective against low-energy targets
 
* Effective against low-energy targets
 
* Decent at longer ranges in a straight line
 
* Decent at longer ranges in a straight line
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* Effective against aircraft with low maneuverability
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* Effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability
 
* Effective against aircraft in their high-speed compression ranges
 
* Effective against aircraft in their high-speed compression ranges
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* Only available on a platform that benefits from it's more passive role
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* Only available on a platform that benefits from its more passive role
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−
*
 
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
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* Small seeker area
 
* Small seeker area
 
* Short range relative to other AAMs
 
* Short range relative to other AAMs
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* Poor maneuverability limits it's capability in top-tier dogfights
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* Poor manoeuvrability limits its capability in top-rank dogfights
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* Only available on 1 aircraft
 
−
* Statistics and models are inaccurate
 
−
 
 
−
*
 
  
 
== 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===
−
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" />
  
−
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-9B FGW.2===
 
===AIM-9B FGW.2===
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The Sidewinder was also acquired by NATO forces for their air forces. The AIM-9B licensed production was distributed to West Germany, who would produce 15,000 units.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" /> Like the US Navy and US Air Force, the manufacturer sought to improve the AIM-9B design. These improvements modernized the components with solid-state technology, added a carbon dioxide cooling for the seeker, developed a new nose dome and implemented better optical filtering.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> The culminations of these improvements developed into the '''AIM-9B FGW.2''', which is also known as the ''AIM-9F'' in US nomenclature.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> These missiles would see service in 1969, with conversions being done on European AIM-9B with the FGW.2 upgrade.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" /><ref name="ParschAIM9" />
 
The Sidewinder was also acquired by NATO forces for their air forces. The AIM-9B licensed production was distributed to West Germany, who would produce 15,000 units.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" /> Like the US Navy and US Air Force, the manufacturer sought to improve the AIM-9B design. These improvements modernized the components with solid-state technology, added a carbon dioxide cooling for the seeker, developed a new nose dome and implemented better optical filtering.<ref name="KoppAUSAIM9">Kopp 2014</ref> The culminations of these improvements developed into the '''AIM-9B FGW.2''', which is also known as the ''AIM-9F'' in US nomenclature.<ref name="ParschAIM9" /> These missiles would see service in 1969, with conversions being done on European AIM-9B with the FGW.2 upgrade.<ref name="GervasiArsenal" /><ref name="ParschAIM9" />
  
−
The AIM-9E was developed at the behest of the US Air Force (USAF), making it the first Sidewinder variant created expressly for that service (the previous Sidewinders were all developed for the US Navy). Similarly, the AIM-9F was developed and produced in Germany, making it the first Sidewinder variant developed by a foreign country. The AIM-9F was produced by BGT (Bodensee Gerätetechnik), predominately for sale to NATO air arms. Both the -E and -F models were developed from the more common AIM-9B.
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== Media ==
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<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
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The AIM-9F is identical in shape to the AIM-9B, and seems to differ only in a slightly greenish sensor window. See the AIM-9 page for a detailed description of the AIM-9B for comparison.
 
−
 
 
−
The general composition of the AIM-9F Sidewinder is largely the same as those of previous missiles, though several components of this new model were different. The AIM-9F followed a different design philosophy from the AIM-9E, with a new version of the AIM-9B's seeker window (which has the aforementioned characteristic green color), a carbon dioxide cooling system, and solid state electronics.
 
−
 
 
−
The AIM-9F, as well as all four of the second generation Sidewinders (E, F, G and H models) are infrared-guided, but their guidance was markedly improved over the first generation. It is unclear as to what changes were made with the AIM-9F's guidance system, though they reportedly resulted in an improved pK ratio. All four models still use the lead sulfide seeker element of the preceding Sidewinders.
 
  
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== Media ==
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;Images
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<!--''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''-->
 
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
 
File:AIM-9B FGW.2 Image 1.jpg|F-104G mid-flight with 3 AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinders (1 Fired)
 
File:AIM-9B FGW.2 Image 1.jpg|F-104G mid-flight with 3 AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinders (1 Fired)
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== 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-9B Sidewinder|AIM-9B]]
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−
* [[AIM-9E Sidewinder|AIM-9E]]
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;Related development
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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;''
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* ''other literature.'' -->
  
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
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* [http://www.military-today.com/missiles/aim_9f_sidewinder.htm <nowiki>[Military Today]</nowiki> AIM-9F Sidewinder]
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the weapon;''
 
−
* ''other literature.''-->
 
  
−
;References:
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=== References ===
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
 
;Bibliography
 
;Bibliography
−
 
−
* “AIM-9F Sidewinder.” ''Military Today'', www.military-today.com/missiles/aim_9f_sidewinder.htm.
 
  
 
* 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.

Latest revision as of 15:52, 22 October 2024

This page is about the German air-to-air missile AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder. For other versions, see AIM-9 Sidewinder (Family).

Description

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


The AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinder is a German infrared homing air-to-air missile, it was introduced in Update "Starfighters".

Vehicles equipped with this weapon

General info

The AIM-9B FGW.2 is known also as the AIM-9F, an upgrade to the AIM-9B. The differences between the E and F variants are a different design philosophy including a slightly different sensor window, solid state electronics instead of vacuum tubes, and a new cooling system.

With similar performance to the AIM-9B, the FGW.2 should be treated the same way. The missile's performance is generally subpar in comparison to other missiles found in the same BR range, thanks to the FGW.2 base having stats of a missile designed in 1954-6. With only 10 G of overload, it performs terribly in high-G dogfights. The missile will be ready to fire in 1 second, while the target search time amounts to 20 seconds.  

Missile characteristics
Mass 72 kg
Guidance IR
Aspect Rear-aspect
Lock range (rear-aspect) 5.5 km
Launch range 10 km
Maximum speed 1.7 M
Maximum overload 10 G
Missile guidance time 20 secs
Explosive mass 7.62 kg TNTeq

Effective damage

While being relatively bad compared to other missiles, the FGW.2 does not disappoint in the damage department. Like every other AAM, if this missile connects, it will knock out or at least deal critical damage to any aircraft. Obviously, it can't be used against ground targets, unless you count parked and active aircraft.

Comparison with analogues

Its performance is identical to the AIM-9B and R-3 missiles, but is massively outperformed by mid-tier missiles like the AIM-9D, E, R-60, and R550. Its lack of a movable seeker-head, higher G-pulling, range, and sensitivity make it subpar if not for having four missiles on a platform that is capable of traveling at Mach 2.

  • 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's best usage comes in three situations, low energy, roll-rate spamming and compressed enemies:

  • Enemies at low energy can't dodge this missile, as their planes won't be able to manoeuvre above 10Gs.
  • Enemies that constantly roll in order to dodge your guns will find the missile to be much more accurate, as their aileron rolls put them in a situation where they can't run.
  • Enemies that have high compression speeds will find your missiles hard to dodge as well. The French Vautour bombers, high speed MiG-15's and Yak-38/38M, and F11F-1's won't be able to outturn the missile's seeker at high speeds, and will be forced to either bleed enough speed to manoeuvre or get hit by the warhead. It has a top speed of around Mach 1.7, so the planes that can outrun this missile with low manoeuvrability are other F-104's.

Forcing enemies to bleed speed is more of this missile's job, but speed isn't generally a big deal for the jets it can be equipped on, so it's kind of redundant.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Effective against low-energy targets
  • Decent at longer ranges in a straight line
  • Effective against aircraft with low manoeuvrability
  • Effective against aircraft in their high-speed compression ranges
  • Only available on a platform that benefits from its more passive role

Cons:

  • Small seeker area
  • Short range relative to other AAMs
  • Poor manoeuvrability limits its capability in top-rank dogfights

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 FGW.2

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]

The Sidewinder was also acquired by NATO forces for their air forces. The AIM-9B licensed production was distributed to West Germany, who would produce 15,000 units.[4] Like the US Navy and US Air Force, the manufacturer sought to improve the AIM-9B design. These improvements modernized the components with solid-state technology, added a carbon dioxide cooling for the seeker, developed a new nose dome and implemented better optical filtering.[6] The culminations of these improvements developed into the AIM-9B FGW.2, which is also known as the AIM-9F in US nomenclature.[3] These missiles would see service in 1969, with conversions being done on European AIM-9B with the FGW.2 upgrade.[4][3]

Media

Images

  • F-104G mid-flight with 3 AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinders (1 Fired)

  • F-104G going supersonic mid-flight with 3 AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinders (1 Fired)

  • F-104G on the runway with 4 AIM-9B FGW.2 Sidewinders

See also

Related development

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Goebel 2019
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hollway
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Parsch 2008
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Gervasi 1984, p.256
  5. ↑ Parsch 2020
  6. ↑ 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.
  • 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.


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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