AIM-120 AMRAAM facts for kids

An AMRAAM missile being placed onto an F-16 fighter jet.

The AMRAAM missile is a special type of missile used by airplanes. It's designed to hit other airplanes in the air. Think of it like a smart dart that planes can shoot! This missile is guided by radar, which means it uses radio waves to find and track its target.

The AMRAAM missile took about 30 years to develop. It first started being used in 1991. Today, many countries and different types of aircraft around the world still use it. It's known for being a "fire-and-forget" missile. This means that once it's launched, the pilot doesn't need to guide it anymore. The missile finds its target all by itself!

What is an AMRAAM Missile?

The name AMRAAM stands for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile. It's called "medium-range" because it can hit targets that are quite far away, but not extremely far. It's a very important tool for modern fighter jets.

How it Works

The AMRAAM missile uses radar to find its target.

• First, the airplane that launches the missile uses its own radar to find an enemy plane.
• Then, the missile is fired. For a short time, the launching plane helps guide the missile.
• After that, the missile's own small radar system takes over. It guides itself to the target, even if the launching plane turns away. This is why it's called "fire-and-forget."

Who Uses AMRAAM?

Many countries around the world use the AMRAAM missile. It can be carried by various fighter jets, including:

• The F-15 Eagle
• The F-16 Fighting Falcon
• The F/A-18 Hornet
• The F-22 Raptor
• The Eurofighter Typhoon

It's also used in ground-based air defense systems, like the NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface to Air Missile System). This means it can be launched from the ground to shoot down enemy aircraft or missiles.

History of the AMRAAM

The idea for the AMRAAM missile began in the 1970s. Engineers wanted to create a better air-to-air missile. They wanted one that was more accurate and easier for pilots to use.

Development and First Use

• The missile went through many tests. One of the first successful tests happened in 1982.
• It officially entered service in 1991 with the United States Air Force.
• Since then, it has been updated many times to make it even better and more advanced.

Images for kids

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  First successful test at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico 1982

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  Grumman F-14 Tomcat carrying an AMRAAM during a 1982 test

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  An AIM-120 AMRAAM missile on display at the U.S. National Air and Space Museum

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  AIM-120 AMRAAM (right) fitted in a weapons bay of a F-22 Raptor

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  NASAMS launcher

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  Battery of four AMRAAM and two AIM-9X on HMMWV

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  AMRAAM-ER at Le Bourget 2007

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  Map with AIM-120 operators in blue

See also

In Spanish: AIM-120 AMRAAM para niños