Latest variants of AIM120

[contedicavour]

After browsing the internet, I've seen that the AIM-120 A/B has a range of 75km, that the AIM-120 C-5 has a range of 105km and the -D variant an amazing range of 180km, ie even more than the 160 of the good old AIM-54.

My question is who has the C-5 and D variants outside of USAF and USN ? Most European governments are waiting it out for the Meteor, France is developing a longer range version of the MICA EM, Israel is busy improving its Derby BVR AAMs ... who has/wants to buy the AIM120 C-5 and D then ?

thanks

cheers

 

[Scorpion82]

The Royal Air Force uses the C-5 with its Typhoons and the Luftwaffe intends to buy them as well. AFAIK Hungary will also buy the C-5.

 

[contedicavour]

The Royal Air Force uses the C-5 with its Typhoons and the Luftwaffe intends to buy them as well. AFAIK Hungary will also buy the C-5.

Thanks ! What about Japanese or South Korean F15s for instance ?
Is the "D" variant really operational even in the States ? I'm still astonished by the range claim I found in the internet...

cheers

 

[sidewinder2006]

Can anybody update me about the current status of amraam c-8 ???
Thnx in advance

 

[SABRE]

After browsing the internet, I've seen that the AIM-120 A/B has a range of 75km, that the AIM-120 C-5 has a range of 105km and the -D variant an amazing range of 180km, ie even more than the 160 of the good old AIM-54.

My question is who has the C-5 and D variants outside of USAF and USN ? Most European governments are waiting it out for the Meteor, France is developing a longer range version of the MICA EM, Israel is busy improving its Derby BVR AAMs ... who has/wants to buy the AIM120 C-5 and D then ?

thanks

cheers

Pakistan Air Force has ordered 500 AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAMs & I think so has Royal Saudi Air Force but I am not too sure about the Saudis. Tiwan, I believe, has it in the inventory.

As for AIM-120D, I dont think anyone has ordered it yet. Perhaps the countries which have ordered F-35 will order it just before their induction of the fighter.

 

[Scorpion82]

The C-5 is the current version in production and I expect it to be the main weapon for western fighters in the next few years. The US already has the more advanced C-7. The AIM-120D is still in development and is unlikely to be exported in the next years. At first the USAF needs the weapon. Claimed weapon ranges are typically max range (not useful in aircombat) or engagement ranges which are significantly lower.

 

[Scorpion82]

Just a link for some further information on the various AMRAAM variants:
http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-120.html

 

[radiosilence]

These countries either have on order or have received Aim120 C-5

Greece, Israel ,Pakistan, and Thailand.


I don't think Aim 120 D has been exported as of yet.

 

[contedicavour]

Many thanks to Scorpion and Sabre !
Since Meteor will only be fully operational in a few years, I'd expect all Typhoon consortium countries to acquire AIM-120-C-5 then.
Is an update of an inventory of AIM120Bs to C standard feasible by replacing the seeker, etc ?

cheers

 

[contedicavour]

These countries either have on order or have received Aim120 C-5
Greece, Israel ,Pakistan, and Thailand.

Israel ? I thought they relied on Derby for BVR ! Interesting...
A sale to Greece must push Turkey to acquire the C-5 version as well then... ouch Italy then must follow as well if it hasn't already happened

cheers

 

[radiosilence]

Israel ? I thought they relied on Derby for BVR ! Interesting...
A sale to Greece must push Turkey to acquire the C-5 version as well then... ouch Italy then must follow as well if it hasn't already happened

cheers

Israel ordered 48 AIM-120C-5 in 2001. I am not sure if Turkey has the C-5 version but they ordered Aim-120C sometime in 2004.

 

[Scorpion82]

Many thanks to Scorpion and Sabre !
Since Meteor will only be fully operational in a few years, I'd expect all Typhoon consortium countries to acquire AIM-120-C-5 then.
Is an update of an inventory of AIM120Bs to C standard feasible by replacing the seeker, etc ?

cheers

The C-7 is planned as well for the Typhoon as a kind of interim solution until the Meteor arrives. I don't think that older models will be upgraded at all, the differences are to significant.

 

[kato]

Scorpion82:
By joint decision, all four nations in the Eurofighter/Typhoon program plan to integrate AIM-120C-5 (!) into it as an interim solution, until Meteor is ready around 2013. So far, only the AIM-120B is integrated.

At least according to this interview with the German Chief of Staff of the Airforce in May 2007.

 

[yess]

by the end of 2008 PAF will have 500 AIM-120 C5 which is considered as one of the most advanced and accurate missle in the world!

my question is how capable will F-16 block 52+ with AIM-120 C5 be against Su-30 MKI with inferior missile lets say R-73 or R-27. pilot training is at the same level..

Mod edit: Please refrain from starting, or attempting to start Platform A vs. Platform B type comparisons. Given that the actual performance of different systems or platforms is classified and not publically available such discussions or more frequently, arguments tend to have little merit. Please see the forum rules, specifically #3, if there are questions. http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/announcement.php?f=20
-Preceptor

 

[Scorpion82]

Scorpion82:
By joint decision, all four nations in the Eurofighter/Typhoon program plan to integrate AIM-120C-5 (!) into it as an interim solution, until Meteor is ready around 2013. So far, only the AIM-120B is integrated.

At least according to this interview with the German Chief of Staff of the Airforce in May 2007.

The General is wrong on that. The AIM-120C-5 is already integrated into Typhoon and is already used as standard armament by RAF Typhoon F.2. The Luftwaffe will procure the weapon from 2008, but it is already integrated.

 

[swerve]

Israel ? I thought they relied on Derby for BVR ! ...

cheers

Oh no! By all accounts, Derby has shorter range. Also, it's Israeli. Because US money pays for such a large proportion of Israeli arms purchases, & most (73% - but used to be more) US money can only be used to buy US-made arms, Derby has been left out in the cold.

 

[SaudiArabian]

Notifications to Congress of Pending U.S. Arms Transfers

AIM-120 AMRAAM

Saudi Arabia , 7/21/2000



...


500 AIM-120C AMRAAMs, software updates, missile containers, LAU-128 missile launchers, Captive Air Training Missiles, spare and repair parts, publications and technical documentation, maintenance and pilot training, and other related elements of logistical and program support**
...


Federation of American Scientists (FAS) Website

http://www.fas.org/asmp/profiles/no...in=Aim-120&date1in=1992&date2in=2006&typein=%

 

[Aussie Digger]

After browsing the internet, I've seen that the AIM-120 A/B has a range of 75km, that the AIM-120 C-5 has a range of 105km and the -D variant an amazing range of 180km, ie even more than the 160 of the good old AIM-54.

My question is who has the C-5 and D variants outside of USAF and USN ? Most European governments are waiting it out for the Meteor, France is developing a longer range version of the MICA EM, Israel is busy improving its Derby BVR AAMs ... who has/wants to buy the AIM120 C-5 and D then ?

thanks

cheers

Australia operates the AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM variant from it's F/A-18A/B Hornets.

I understand that it will be upgraded to the C-7 standard at some point in the new future with the AIM-120D being a definite possibility for RAAF in years to come.

Possibly even under the forthcoming weapons/sensor package to be announced for the Super Hornet?

 

[contedicavour]

Many thanks to all of you, all of this data helps a lot

Nobody has data about the type of AIM120 carried by Japanese F15Js and the one procured to go with the South Korean F15s ?

cheers

 

[Scorpion82]

Many thanks to all of you, all of this data helps a lot

Nobody has data about the type of AIM120 carried by Japanese F15Js and the one procured to go with the South Korean F15s ?

cheers

If I remember right the F-15K is carrying the C-5. I don't know about the Japanese but assume that they use the B modell.