AIM-9X Sidewinder demonstrates Air-To-Surface capability

F-16.net ^ | December 10, 2009 | (by Lieven Dewitte)

[Jet Jaguar]

F-16 Ping.

[tongue-tied]

Not bad. I wonder how much explosive they'd pack though?

I also wonder if it still has the same warhead design (great for airborn go fasters) or different for surface targets?

[LeoWindhorse]

Somali pirates mother ships are legitimate targets

fire at will

[Flightdeck]

Can it distinguish turbans from similarly shaped rocks?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

The next episode of Dogfights: The Death of the Iranian Navy

[omega4179]

Why can’t they just learn how to use their Vulcan or FFAR

[petertare]

My first question is ditto yours. A few pounds of hx would be insufficient for anything over 40 feet or so. Just too little a bang. Air Force desperate for a mission?

[sasportas]

Think of this technology in the hands of the wrong people. Not good for those serving as sea in the Navy.

[STD]

Ridiculous, what can an A-to-A missille do that ten rounds from a 20 mike mike cannon can't? Nothing!

"AIM-9X now has the potential to take on an additional mission at a very affordable cost."

More waste of tax dollars!

[Jet Jaguar]

Understand this. The AIM9X can fire at a target at 9 o’clock or 8 o’clock and hit it. In order to hit a target with the gun, it has to be at 12 o’clock.

[doorgunner69]

Ridiculous, what can an A-to-A missille do that ten rounds from a 20 mike mike cannon can't?

Guide itself to target while the launch platform is headed elsewhere.............

I want a car roofrack mounted version, for them slow idiots in the fast lane.............

[caver]

Couldn’t this same task been accomplished about 30 years ago with an F-16?

[Jet Jaguar]

Not with targeting by looking at the target even if it is behind you.

[rbosque]

A MOAB is more effective and definitely sends a message. :-)

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

You are saying a 20mm can hit from 11 miles out? News to me...

[tongue-tied]

And keep in mind, these will be carried by all aircraft capable of carrying the AIM-9 as well. (With updated software.)

But that warhead really intrigues me. It almost HAS to be redesigned for some surface targets.

The original story mentioned an APC being hit successfully. Did it simply hit it, or destroy it, or at least knock it our of the "fight"?

Sea targets: are these all fiberglass cigarette boats, or real steel?

[tongue-tied]

Oops. Re-read the original post after posting last one, and it said “destroyed” the APC.

[cruise_missile]

A fairly simple missile.

Great bang for the buck.

The only technology that this country produces anymore is for the military. Rather see money go here than ACORN or the Clinton's political advisor's.

[stboz]

Hmmmmm.....cigarette boats.....Somali pirates.....Hmmmm