AAMs

Air-to-air missiles (AAMs) are guided missiles designed to be launched from aircraft to destroy other aircraft, drones, or missiles. They are typically powered by solid-fuel rockets and equipped with a seeker, guidance electronics, and a warhead, enabling high-speed engagements at extended ranges.

AAMs are grouped by range and guidance. Short-range AAMs (SR-AAMs) typically rely on infrared seekers for close-quarters battles, while beyond-visual-range (BVR-AAM) missiles use active or semi-active radar guidance to engage targets beyond line of sight. Modern AAMs often employ inertial navigation with midcourse updates via data links and rely on autonomous terminal guidance from their seeker or the launch platform’s radar.

Design and operation: AAMs are launched from aircraft and perform powered, guided flight toward a target. Warheads are usually high-explosive fragmentation types. Countermeasures such as flares, chaff, and electronic warfare can complicate engagements. Contemporary missiles emphasize high off-boresight capability, maneuverability, and resistance to countermeasures, as well as integration with onboard or networked sensor systems.

History and development: The first generations appeared in the mid-20th century, with infrared-guided Sidewinders and semi-active radar-guided Sparrows. The 1990s saw missiles employing active radar homing, enabling genuine BVR engagements. Recent advances include dual-mode seekers, improved propulsion and maneuverability, and longer-range, all-weather capabilities. Representative systems include the AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, the Russian R-77 family, and the European Meteor, among others.

Operational use: AAMs are central to air superiority and fleet defense. They are deployed on fighters, interceptors, and multirole platforms worldwide, with ongoing research directed at extending range, improving accuracy in adverse conditions, and enabling networked engagements across platforms.