[MSSL] AIM-9L/M/P Sidewinder

AIM-9M Sidewinder

ORIGIN: (Real World)
United States of America

GAMES FEATURED IN:
Ace Combat
Ace Combat 2
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Ace Combat 05: The Unsung War
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Ace Combat 06: Fires of Liberation

OPERATORS:
Democratic Republic of Leasath (Air Force / Navy)
Federal Republic of Estovakia (Air Force / Navy)
Federation of Erusea (Air Force / Navy)
Independent State Allied Forces (Air Force / Navy)
Osean Federation (Air Force / Navy)
Principality of Belka / Belkan Federation (Air Force / Navy)
Republic of Aurelia (Air Force / Navy)
Republic of Emmeria (Air Force / Navy)
Republic of Ustio (Air Force / Navy)
Union of Yuktobanian Republics (Air Force / Navy)
Usean Rebel Forces (Air Force / Navy)
Usean Unified Command (Air Force / Navy)

COMPATIBLE AIRCRAFT
A-4E Skyhawk, A-6E Intruder II, A-7E Corsair II, A-10A Thunderbolt II, ADF-01F Falken, ADFX-01/02 Morgan, AV-8B Harrier II, EA-6B Prowler, EA-18G Growler, EF-2000 Typhoon, F-1 Kaizen, F-117A Nighthawk, F-2A Viper Zero, F-14A Tomcat, F-14B Bombcat, F-14D Super Tomcat, F-15C Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-15S/MTD, F-16C Fighting Falcon, F-16C Block 60, F-16XL, F/A-18C Hornet, F/A-18D Hornet, F/A-18E Super Hornet, F/A-18F Super Hornet, F-20A Tiger Shark, F-22A Raptor, F-35C Lightning II, F-4E Phantom II, F-4G 'Wild Weasel', F-4X, F/B-22 Concept, JAS-35J Draken-J, JAS-37 Viggen, JAS-39C Grippen, KF-C7 Kfir, Mir-2000C Mirage, Mir-2000D Mirage-D, Mir-2000-5 Mirage, RM01A Rafale, RM01B, Rafale, RM01C Rafale, RM01M Rafale, T.1 Hawk, Tornado ECR, Tornado F.2, Tornado F.3, Tornado GR.1, Tornado GR.4, Tornado IDS, X-02 Wyvern, X-29, XFA-24A Apalis, XFA-27, XR-45 Cariburn, YF-22, YF-23 Black Widow II, YR-302 Fregata, YR-99 Forneus.

OVERVIEW:
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an active infrared guidance system. The Sidewinder was developed by the US Navy for fleet air defense and was adapted by the U.S. Air Force for fighter aircraft use. Early versions of the missile were extensively used in the Southeast Asian conflict. In September 1958 Chinese Nationalist F-86s fired the first Sidewinder air-to-air missiles to down 11 communist Chinese MiG-17s over the Formosa Straits. Until that time, aircraft defensive means where primarily limited to pilots and tail gunners firing small caliber ammunition in dog-fight situations.

The AIM-9 has a cylindrical body with a roll-stabilizing rear wing/aileron assembly. Also, it has detachable, double-delta control surfaces behind the nose that improve the missile's maneuverability. Both ailerons and control surfaces are in a cross-like arrangement. The missile's main components are an infrared homing guidance section, an active optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead, and a rocket motor. The infrared guidance head enables the missile to home on target aircraft engine exhaust. An infrared unit costs less than other types of guidance systems, and can be used in day/night and electronic countermeasures conditions. The infrared seeker also permits the pilot to launch the missile, then leave the area or take evasive action while the missile guides itself to the target.

The AIM-9M missile utilizes a guidance control section with counter-countermeasures and improved maintainability and productivity. The AIM-9M is configured with an annular blast fragmentation warhead. The AIM-9M, currently the only operational variant, 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 missile's chances for detection. Deliveries of the M model began in 1983.

Specification:
Primary Function: Air-to-Air missile
Contractor: Naval Weapons Center
Power Plant: Hercules and Bermite Mk 36 Mod 71, 8 solid-propellant rocket motor
Speed: Supersonic Mach 2.5
Range: 10 to 18 miles depending on altitude
Length: 9 feet, 5 inches
Diameter: 5 inches
Fin-span: 2 feet, 3/4 inches
Warhead: Annular blast fragmentation warhead, 20.8 lbs high explosive for AIM-9M
Launch Weight: 190 pounds
Guidance System: Solid-state, infrared homing system

Source
Various Sources

Accreditation:
cipher for the image

*Original Article by TornadoADV*