U.S. Navy achieved initial operational capability on Raytheon's AMRAAM Latest AIM-120D Missile

: Posted On Sunday, 12 April 2015 04:04

Naval Defense Industry News - USA

U.S. Navy achieved initial operational capability on Raytheon's AMRAAM Latest AIM-120D Missile

Raytheon Company recently completed two milestones for the newest Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM®), the AIM-120D. The U.S. Air Force successfully completed testing and fielded the AIM-120D. The U.S. Navy achieved initial operational capability (IOC) on the weapon.

AMRAAM live fire flight in2008 at NAWCWD China Lake marking the first release of any ordnance off the Growler. Photo by Mike McGinnis.

"AMRAAM is the most capable air-to-air weapon ever produced," said Ron Krebs, AMRAAM program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "The AIM-120D represents a significant improvement in air-to-air weapons capabilities and the technologies it brings to the battlefield give U.S. warfighters an unmatched advantage in the air-to-air arena."

With the Air Force, the new AMRAAM was subjected to several scenarios designed to represent realistic combat conditions. AIM-120D demonstrated outstanding capability against challenging targets, and it performed superbly in all regimes of flight. Airborne testing verified that AIM-120D is ready for overseas deployment.

IOC follows extensive flight testing, where the Navy integrated and tested Raytheon's AMRAAM AIM-120D missile on the F/A-18 Hornet and the Super Hornet aircraft. The Navy plans to deploy with the D later this year.

The AIM-120D is the newest air-to-air weapon in the U.S. arsenal and has significant capability improvements, including increased range, GPS-aided navigation, two-way data link and improved weapons effectiveness.

About AMRAAM
AMRAAM is a combat-proven missile that demonstrates operational flexibility in both air-to-air and surface-launch scenarios and provides today's warfighter with enhanced operational capability, cost effectiveness and future growth options/solutions. Procured by 36 countries, the combat-proven AMRAAM has been integrated on the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, Harrier, F-4 and the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. It is also the baseline missile for the NATO-approved National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System.