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‘Grossly Outranged’ By Chinese Air-To-Air Missiles, US Accelerates Development Of New-Age Missiles For Its Fighter Jets

With the recent report of the US Air Force is upgrading its weapons for its fifth and sixth-generation aircraft, the Pentagon appears to be on track to ensure its air lethality is at the maximum. 

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The Air Force modernization program has made significant improvements in the weapon upgrade for the next-generation aircraft using cyber testings and software.

The recent success of the new Raytheon AIM-120D version of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile and the AIM-9X Sidewinder was due to the software enhancements efforts under the weapons modernization.

A crucial duty that lies with the Air Force right now is not just to develop and advance its fighter jets from one generation to another but simultaneously improve its munitions.

In July, Lt. General David Nahom, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs, had emphasized this responsibility of the USAF saying, “You’ve got to be careful, as we purchase and run around with fifth-generation aircraft that we’re not putting third-generation munitions on them. So there’s a balance.”

Recent Weapon Upgrades

The software enhancements of this modernization plan will entail the expansion of the aircraft’s weapons envelope by adding interfaces, fire-control adjustments, and the required levels of targeting and computing technologies.

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The newly developed AIM-120D is said to have brought “game-changing” capabilities to the fleet due to its newer software upgrade that enables frequency hopping and switching frequencies to stay on course to its target.




AIM-120 AMRAAM
An AIM-120 AMRAAM being loaded onto an F-16CJ. (Wikipedia)

The AIM-120 is an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM). It is a new generation all-weather, weapon manufactured by Raytheon.

The current adaptions of the AIM-9X break the usual requirement of fighter jets to be in a strictly linear firing trajectory and capable of firing off-boresight. Technically, it can now attack at all angles by changing course in flight and redirecting attack on an enemy aircraft flying on the side or even behind.

The introduction of the GBU-35/B StormBreaker on the F-35 is an upcoming significant advancement. Set to installation by 2023, the StormBreaker works in three modes to provide maximum operational flexibility using millimeter-wave radar, imaging infrared, semi-active laser enabling it to engage fixed or moving targets at any time of day and in all weather conditions.

Earlier in the year, F-15C Eagle destroyed a drone in what the US Air Force called “the longest known air-to-air missile shot to date.” The exact details were not revealed, however, the test is a clear indication that the USAF is making long-range engagements a top priority.

US portal – National Interest (NI) reported that USAF needs a new air-to-air missile to take full advantage of the new AESA radar. The radars can track targets much before they are in missile range—and moreover—American missiles are grossly outranged by new Chinese weapons like the PL-15.

Even some of the latest US developments don’t match the estimated range of the Chinese missiles. However, the source told NI that US estimations of the last Chinese ‘super missile’ – the PL-12, were grossly exaggerated.




PL-15 Missile

Laser Weapons – The Newest Addition

Recently, Lockheed Martin delivered the new Airborne High Energy Laser to the USAF for flight testing on an AC-130J and is now just a step away from ground testing and demonstration on the aircraft.

Titled as “hell in the sky,” this AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship now equipped with Airborne High Energy Laser (AHEL) will become one of the most lethal and futuristic additions on the battleground.

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