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Versions
AIM-9, AIM-9A, AIM-9B
 The original version was
built in 3 almost identical versions, with the majority of missiles produced
being of the 9B variant.
80,900 were built by Philco (later Ford) and Raytheon, and a further 15,000 were
built by a European consortium.
The AIM-9B FGW.2 is a modification made to the European missiles in the late
60s, incorporating a new seeker head designed by BGT with silicium nose dome
(silicium is - at infra red wavelengths- more transparent than glass), a cooled
seeker and solid-state electronics.
AIM-9C/D
 The C and D models are
both realizations of the same model (the SW-1C) built by Motorola and Ford
respectively, introducing the Rocketdyne Mk.36 solid motor providing for
greater range, and a new guidance system.
The 9C was actually a SARH variant for the F-8 Crusader but proved to be
unreliable, while the 9D offered an improved nitrogen-cooled IR seeker with a
magnesium-fluoride dome.
The 9D also offered a smaller field-of-view, faster tracking/reticle speed,
detachable larger fins powered by high-power actuators fed from a
longer-burning gas generator, and a 22.4lbs continuous-rod annular
blast-fragmentation warhead replaced the old 10lbs one.
Both IR or HF fuzes could be fitted.
AIM-9E, AIM-9E-2
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| The YF-16 and F-16 No.1, both
with AIM-9E Sidewinders. Note the radar-less small nose of the YF on the left.
(Tom Collins) |
The Echo expanded the
engagement envelope at low altitudes through its new Ford seeker head with
Peltier (thermoelectric) cooling and new electronics - enabling faster tracking
speed.
The AIM-9E has an improved guidance and control system, as well as a more
aerodynamic nose.
This model provides greater range and enhanced low-altitude capability against
maneuvering targets.
Some E models are equipped with reduced-smoke rocket motors and have the
designation AIM-9E-2.
AIM-9G/H
 The AIM-9G was the first
firsion to include SEAM (Sidewinder Expanded Acquisition Mode), basically an
improved AIM-9D seeker head, but was quickly made obsolete by the AIM-9H.
The latter was the first model to offer limited all-weather capability, as well
as solid-state electronics and double-delta control surfaces resulting in a
superior maneuverability compared to older models.
SEAM slaves the seeker head of the missile to the radar when in
"dogfight" mode, which enables the seeker head to be uncaged, slewed
toward a specific target by the aircraft radar, and made to track that
particular target before being launched.
AIM-9J, AIM-9J-1, AIM-9J-3, AIM-9N
 The AIM-9Js are rebuilt 9E
or 9B missiles, sacrificing range for speed.
Detachable double-delta controls were added, as well as solid-state electronics
and a long burning gas generator.
The J model has an expanded target-engagement cone which enables it to be
launched at any spot in the rear half of a target aircraft rather than merely
at its exhaust.
The Dash-1 and Dash-3 are improved versions and actually all-new. the AIM-9J-1
later became the AIM-9N.
AIM-9L/M, AIM-9M-7
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| A close look at the teeth of
the Wild Weasel: two 35th FW F-16CJ-50s carrying HTS pod, 2x AIM-9P, 2x AIM-120,
2x AGM-88, ECM pod, and 2x 370gal fuel tanks. (USAF Photo) |
The AIM-9L introduced yet
another new guidance system making it a true all-aspect missile (which means it
doesn't need to be aimed at the exhaust of the target but can also lock on e.g.
wing edges heated by air friction), and an annular blast-fragmentation warhead
surrounded by a sheath of pre-fragmented rods.
It uses a proximity-fuze, consisting of a ring of GaAs (Gallium-Arsenide)
laserdiodes and corresponding photodiodes.
If the target is close enough to reflect the emitted light back to the
receiving photodiodes, the warhead is fired.
This improved optical fuze increases the missileös lethality and
resistance to electronic countermeasures.
Despite its basic design, the all-aspect AIM-9L Sidewinder still remains a
potent threat, exceeded in effectiveness perhaps only by the Russian-built
Molniya/Vympel R-73 (known in the West as the AA-11 Archer) which combines
aerodynamic and thrust-vectoring control systems.
The AIM-9M has the all-aspect capability of the L model, but provides
all-around higher performance. The M model has improved defense against
infrared countermeasures, enhanced background discrimination capability, and a
reduced-smoke rocket motor.
These modifications increase ability to locate and lock-on a target and
decrease the missileös chances for detection.
Deliveries of the M model began in 1983.
The AIM-9M-7 was a specific modification to the AIM-9M in response to
threats expected in the Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm theater of
operation.
AIM-9P, AIM-9P-1, AIM-9P-2, AIM-9P-3, AIM-9P-4
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| Low-level Pakistani F-16A, armed with 2 AIM-9P Sidewinders and 2 high-drag Mk.82s. (PAF Photo) |
The AIM-9P is either a B/E or J rebuilt or all-new and offers new motor, fuze and better reliability.
It has greater engagement boundaries, enabling it to be launched farther from
the target.
The more maneuverable P model also incorporated improved solid-state
electronics that increased reliability and maintainability.
Deliveries began in 1978. The AIM-9P-1 has an active optical target detector
instead of the infrared influence fuze; the AIM-9P-2 added a reduced-smoke
motor.
The most recently developed version, the AIM-9P-3, combined both the active
optical target detector and the reduced-smoke motor.
It also has added mechanical strengthening to the warhead as well as the
guidance and control section.
The improved warhead uses new explosive material that is less sensitive to high
temperature and has a longer shelf life.
The AIM-9P-4 adds all-aspect capability to conversions.
AIM-9Q
AIM-9M with upgraded guidance/control section.
AIM-9R
The AIM-9R was originally funded as the AIM-9M Product Improvement Program
(PIP).
Under Pave Prism, the research effort continued for enhanced clutter rejection,
better aim-point selection, increased field-of-view for tracking highly
maneuverable or off-boresight targets and better IRCCM (Infra Red Counter
Counter Measures).
The seeker head incorporates a 3-gimbal stabilized optical platform bearing
a new Imaging IR (IRR) seeker with a focal plane array, which can lock on at
greater ranges than any previous version, a digital image processor and
autotrack function, and the use of EPROM (Electronically Programmable ROM) to
facilitate software upgrades.
The 9R also dispenses with the refrigeration system, which was mounted either
in the missile itself (USAF) or inside the launcher shoe (US Navy versions).
The USD $50 million development effort began in 1987, and the first 65
pre-production IIR seekers were delivered to the US Navy in May 1990.
Five out of the six first tests were successful. In September 1991, the US Air
Force dropped out of the AIM-9R program, arguing that the $103,000 unit cost
was too high (Unit cost estimates range from $70,000 according to the Navy, to
as high as $180,000.)
The Air Force withdrawal put the full financial burden on Navy budgets, leading
to a decision in December to drop the AIM-9R altogether.
AIM-9S
AIM-9M with IRCCM deleted for Foreign Military Sales customers.
AIM-9X
Navy/Air Force program for successor to Sidewinder.
Acquisition plan approval planned by mid-1992 after completion of requirements
documentation.
Box Office/Improved Sidewinder
This formerly classified USAF program began in 1988 in conjunction with
Raytheon to overhaul Sidewinder design.
The missile introduces tail control with small independently activated tail
fins shaped like those on the MIM-104 Patriot, and eliminates wings and
rollerons, relying on the body for lift.
The missile has greater acceleration, a 50-g maneuvering capability, and fits
into 1/4 of the weapons bay space required for conventional AIM-9.
The guidance system offers Electronically Erasable Programmable Read- Only
Memory (EEPROM), and a digital roll-control autopilot.
The "Box size" (i.e., the square dimensions of its container) is
7.9 in (200 mm) compared to the 20 in (508 mm) of the standard Sidewinder.
Obviously, the Box Office is designed to be fitted in the internal weapons bay
of aircraft such as the F-22, so more can be carried in a given volume.
BoaSimilar to Box Office, but undertaken by the US Naval Air Test
Center at China Lake, CA. The wings are merely reduced in size instead of being
eliminated.
The Sidewinder Family
| Sidewinder | Length (mm) | Control fin span (mm) | Launch Weight (kg) | Mission Time (sec) | Range (km) | Production
Run |
|---|
| AIM-9B | 2830 | 559 | 70.4 | 20 | 3.2 | 80,900 |
|---|
| AIM-9B
FGW.2 | 2908 | 559 | 75.8 | 20 | 3.7 | 15,0
00 |
|---|
| AIM-9C | 2870 | 630 | 84.0 | 60 | 17.7 | 1,000 |
|---|
| AIM-9D | 2870 | 630 | 88.5 | 60 | 17.7 | 1,000 |
|---|
| AIM-9E | 3000 | 559 | 74.5 | 20 | 4.2 | 5,000 |
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| AIM-9G | 2870 | 630 | 86.6 | 60 | 17.7 | 2,120 |
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| AIM-9H | 2870 | 630 | 84.5 | 60 | 17.7 | 7,720 |
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| AIM-9J | 3070 | 559 | 78.0 | 40 | 14.5 | 10,000 |
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| AIM-9L | 2850 | 630 | 85.3 | 60 | 17.7 | 16,000 |
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| AIM-9M | 2850 | 630 | 86.0 | 60 | 17.7 | 7,000 |
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| AIM-9N | 3070 | 559 | 78.0 | 40 | 14.5 | 23,000 |
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| AIM-9P | 3070 | 559 | 78.0 | 60 | 17.7 | ? |
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| AIM-9R | 2850 | 630 | 87.0 | 60 | 19.3 | ? |
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| Box
Office | 3100 | 279 | 83.9 | ? | ? | ? |
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F-16 Installation
On the F-16, AIM-9 Sidewinders can be loaded on stations 1 and 9 (wingtip), 2
& 8, and 3 and 7 (1 missiles on each station).
Operational Service
The simplicity of the AIM-9 with 'less than 24 moving parts' (as advertised)
made the missile in a low-cost and reliable piece of armament which was above
all compatible with most exisitng aircraft types.
Although earlier version were restricted to perfect visibility, close stern
engagements, later versions quickly alleviated these problems.
In order to fire a missile, the pilot listens in his headset for the signals
of the missile. As soon as the missile is uncaged, the pilots hears a 'seeking
tone'.
As soon as the missile has acquired a target, the tone changes into a 'growl',
varying in pitch according to the quality of the lock.
Later variants of the missile can be slaved to the radar, so when the pilot
achieves a radar-lock on a target, the radar can 'tell' the Sidewinder where to
look for it.
The first operational use of the Sidewander came in October 1958,
only 2 years after the system achieved IOC.
Large Numbers of rounds were fired by Nationalist Chinese F-86s against Chinese
MiG-17, with 14 kills claimed in one single day.
Extensive use of the Sidewinder was made in the Vietnam conflict,
however we were unable to find any statistics.
If anybody could help us out on this one, we'd appreciate it!.
During the 1982 air engagements over Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, 51 out of the
55 Syrian-flown MiGs shot down were hit by Sidewinders.
During the Falklands war in 1982, 100 AIM-9L missiles were supplied
to the RAF and RNavy, since none of the European-produced Lima models had
actually reached British forces.
Used by RN Sea Hariers and RAF Harriers (deployed on board RN ships), the
missiles scored 25 known kills against Argentinian aircraft.
Operation Desert Storm saw 86 Sidewinder missiles fired by US Navy,
USAF and USMC aircraft - resulting in 13 confirmed kills (and not 12 as
reported in other publications - the misquoted kill being the Fishbed kill by
Lt. Mongillo who intended to fire a Sparrow missile but fired a Sidewinder
instead.
Upon noticing the absence of a smoketrail, he realized he had fired an AIM-9
and immediately launched a Sparrow.
The AIM-9 got there first however):
| Date | Target | Pilot | Aircraft | Unit |
|---|
| 17 Jan,
1991 | MiG-21 | Fox | F/A-18C | VFA-81 |
| 17 Jan,
1991 | MiG-21 | Mongillo | F/A-18C | VFA-81 |
| 24 Jan, 1991 | Mir F.1 | Shamrani | F-15C | 13
Sqn, RSAF |
| 24 Jan, 1991 | Mir F.1 | Shamrani | F-15C | 13
Sqn, RSAF |
| 27 Jan, 1991 | MiG-23 | Denny | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 27 Jan, 1991 | MiG-23 | Denny | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 6 Feb, 1991 | MiG-21 | Dietz | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 6 Feb, 1991 | MiG-21 | Dietz | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 6 Feb, 1991 | Su-25 | Hehemann | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 6 Feb, 1991 | Su-25 | Hehemann | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
| 7 Feb,1991 | Mi-8 | Broce &
McElraft | F-14A | VF-1 |
| 20 Mar, 1991 | Su-22 | Doneski | F-15C | 22nd
TFS |
| 20 Mar, 1991 | Su-22 | Dietz | F-15C | 53rd
TFS |
Desert Storm Sidewinder Kills
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