AMRAAM

AMRAAM, standing for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, is an American air-to-air missile designed for beyond-visual-range engagements. It uses an onboard active radar seeker for terminal guidance, enabling fire-and-forget engagements from a launch platform without continuous guidance from the aircraft.

Development began in the 1980s as a joint United States Air Force and Navy program to replace older Sparrow missiles. It was originally developed by Hughes Aircraft and later became part of Raytheon after corporate changes. AMRAAM employs a solid-fuel motor and an onboard active radar seeker, providing midcourse guidance and automatic terminal homing. The seeker allows all-aspect targeting and engagement of targets without need for a continuous radar lock from the launch aircraft.

Variants include AIM-120A, B, C, and D. The AIM-120C introduced improved all-weather, all-aspect capability and greater reliability, while the AIM-120D brought upgraded electronics, enhanced navigation, and longer range with improved compatibility with modern data links and joint-service networks.

Operational use centers on serving as the standard beyond-visual-range missile for the United States and many allied air forces. It has been deployed on a wide range of platforms, including fighters such as the F-16, F-15, F/A-18, F-22, and F-35, as well as export customers’ aircraft. The AMRAAM is intended to remain a core component of air-to-air combat capability through ongoing modernization efforts.

Manufacture is by Raytheon Missiles & Defense, now part of Raytheon Technologies. The missile remains in active service with continuous upgrades to sensors, electronics, and compatibility with next-generation networks, sustaining its role as a principal BVR weapon for allied air forces.