The Drive: The US has updated the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile for war with China
Raytheon Missiles & Defense has completed a series of tests of the latest version of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) medium-range air-to-air missile, previously called the "perfect weapon of dominance". This is reported by The Drive.
The version of the missile, dubbed F3R (from Form, Fit and Function Refresh), according to the publication, will have "an updated guidance section, it will be optimized for high-class air battles that will arise if the United States and its allies ever go to war with China." The product also received an updated System Improvement Program (SIP) 3F software.
The publication also asked Raytheon Missiles & Defense about the advantages that the upgrade provides AIM-120 AMRAAM. "The new F3R equipment, including printed circuit boards and control section components, allows you to significantly increase the computing power that SIP-3F uses in its advanced algorithms. In total, the hardware and software increase the overall efficiency of the rocket," the developer said.
Tests of the product were carried out at Eglin Air Base (Florida) together with the US Air Force (Air Force).
In July 2019, a source close to the Joint Strike Fighter program told Aviation Week that the internal weapons compartment of Station 425 of the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter will be modified to accommodate six AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles instead of four. The relevant work should be completed by July 2022.
