IN COLLABORATION WITH RAYTHEON, the US Air Force F-16 has successfully completed all stages of testing the AIM-120D-3, a modernized variant of the AMRAAM missile.
The AIM-120D-3: A breakthrough in military aviation
The successful completion of the latest test of the AIM-120D-3 by the F-16 Fighting Falcon represents a significant improvement in the air-to-air combat capability of US military aircraft.
This advance is the result of the Form, Fit, Function Refresh program, under which the AIM-120D-3 has proven to be ready for implementation after successfully completing its final test flight.
During test firing at Eglin Test and Training Range, the F-16 Fighting Falcon demonstrated the missile’s enhanced hardware and software capabilities.
AIM-120D-3: Technological advances in its guidance system
The AIM-120D-3 incorporates updated circuit cards in the guidance section, providing agile software upgrades and effective countermeasures against similar threats. Essential in the missile guidance section, these circuit boards control the missile’s flight path, ensuring it hits its target accurately.
The upgraded version of the 5th generation missile has circuit boards that use advanced algorithms and increased processing power, resulting in a more accurate missile flight path.
Raytheon and its position in the MMDS market
According to the GlobalData report “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2022-2032”, Raytheon Technologies is one of the leading providers of MMDS in North America, projecting to capture 24.9% of the North American MMDS market, which represents estimated revenue of $34.7 billion from 2022 to 2032.
The successful completion of these tests highlights the importance of live fire testing and the effective integration of the platform in a relevant operational context.
The AIM-120D-3’s abilities were rigorously tested in various air-to-air scenarios throughout the test program, using US Navy and US Air Force platforms.
Global Availability of Raytheon’s AMRAAM Missile
Raytheon’s AMRAAM missiles have been purchased by a large number of nations, including Asian countries such as Japan and Singapore and Scandinavian nations such as Norway and Sweden.
The successful latest firing test of the AIM-120D-3 paves the way for increased production and deployment of this advanced missile variant. This is reflected in the multi-million dollar contracts awarded in recent years.
As the AIM-120D-3 prepares for deployment, the US Air Force and Raytheon are committed to ensuring that fifth-generation AMRAAM is ready to bolster the nation’s defense.
Evolution of the AIM-120 missile
The AIM-120 missile has undergone various versions and modifications since its introduction in 1991, going from the AIM-120A, with a range of 35 km, to the current version AIM-120D, with a range of more than 180 km and a two-way data link for in-flight upgrades and retargeting.
The latest version, AIM-120D, represents a significant leap in the evolution of these missiles, with notable improvements in guidance and range.
The AIM-120D-3 is a modernized variant of the AMRAAM missile, developed under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh program. This missile has been upgraded with updated circuit boards in its guidance section, allowing for more precise flight thanks to advanced algorithms and increased processing power.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon of the US Air Force was the aircraft commissioned to test the AIM-120D-3 missile. The tests were conducted at the Eglin Test and Training Range, demonstrating the missile’s enhanced hardware and software capabilities.
The AIM-120D-3 significantly improves the air-to-air combat capability of US military aircraft, thanks to its updated circuit boards that enable more precise flight and effective countermeasures against similar threats.
Raytheon Technologies is one of the leading providers of MMDS in North America. According to the GlobalData report “The Global Missiles & Missile Defense Systems Market 2022-2032”, Raytheon is expected to capture 24.9% of the North American MMDS market, representing estimated revenue of $34.7 billion from 2022 to 2032.
The AIM-120 missile has undergone various versions and modifications since its introduction in 1991. The latest version, AIM-120D, has improved in guidance and range, going from the AIM-120A with a 35 km range to the current AIM-120D version. , with a range of over 180 km and a two-way data link for in-flight updates and retargeting.
