F-16 test team conducts first guided launch of AIM-9X

Originally posted by WestPoint23

They also bought SA-10 systems to have a look at what made it better than Patriot. And you gotta admit, Patriot sucks. There's no reliable sources who've said its combat effectiveness against archaic SCUDS during Gulf War 1 was anything but terrible. They didn't destroy the SCUDS they just broke them apart to explode on the ground. And who can forget the SCUD missile that hit the barracks in Riyad in 1991. The highest concentration of losses in that entire war. So to those who mock claims that the US isn't tops in everything please do a little research first.

That is because patriot missiles were made to defend troops in the field not to defend cities the missile works be defecting the incoming missile of its course so it would hit somewhere in the field away from the troops but in a city if its deflected it would just hit somewhere else so don't say the patriot sucks also the upgraded patriots and PAC-3 missile are much better they use hit to kill not deflecting.

Regardless of the reasons they were made for - they had an awful software installed in them, causing the success rate to drop below 10 percent, although they are much better today.

I think the best anti ballistic missile system today is the Israeli Arrow missile.

As for the python missiles - they indeed don't have thrust vectoring, but Python 5 is a fifth generation missile, and it still supposed to have great maneuverability (and btw, it has a 100 degrees of boresight).

The AIM-9x is a fifth generation missile too it will be first used by the F-15C and then F/A-22 and F/A-18 it will be made to work with the F/A-22's helmet sighting system.

The AIM-9X is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile that can be fired day or night. It is presently carried by the F-15 Eagle, with future plans for the F-16, F/A-22 and F-18.

The Air Force is pairing the AIM-9X with the Helmet-Mounted Cueing System. The HMCS� visor displays key data to the pilot and links the aircraft�s sensors and weapons. This combination will enable the pilot to aim and shoot the missile simply by looking in the direction of his target.

AIM-9x Sidewinder


[edit on 24-7-2004 by WestPoint23]

The JHMCS(Joint Helmet Cueing System) will be available for all modern version of F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F/A-22 and -unless something better pops up- the F-35 as well. However one of the AIM-9X biggest competitor for the NATO standard short range AAM, the ASRAAM is already in service with the U.K and Australian air force. The ASRAAM can also be guided by JHMCS(or like system).