Chogy
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When comparing missiles, I always like to look at real-world performance data rather than paper data. This can include test shots, but nothing can compare to combat data.
The world of U.S. A-A missiles took a quantum leap forward in the 1970's, and this paralleled huge advances in solid state circuitry and integrated chips. Prior to this, you had missiles like the AIM-7E and AIM-9D/G/H, all of which had rather dismal records in Vietnam combat. Normal practice was to shoot two missiles due to the low Pk. Background clutter for the AIM-7, and oddities in the AIM-9, really limited their effectiveness.
Then, the AIM-7F/M, and especially the AIM-9L, revolutionized tactics as the Pk skyrocketed, and pilots could trust their missiles, which they tended to not do in the past. Actual Pk's are classified, but there is public data to show how deadly they are. My favorite is the Falklands conflict and the AIM-9L. The Brits did not have any sort of decent A-A capability for their Harriers, and a crash course patched the AIM-9L to their jets. There were no range cues, no HUD cues, nothing except the missile audio patched into the headset. The pilots were told "Point at the enemy. When you hear this tone, and he looks in range, shoot the missile."
The Brits were doubtful, but they did what the engineers said. The result - 24 missiles fired, 22 Argentine jets downed. The two misses were kinematic... out of range.
In Desert Storm, if you look here at the list of kills, the right column shows the weapon used. Many will be surprised that the AIM-7 overwhelmingly accounted for more kills than the AIM-9. The AIM-7F, and especially the "M", were very good missiles.
My point: All of this technology is wrapped up in the AIM-120, and the AIM-9M. In the "Mike", Pakistan has what I believe to be the most lethal air-air missile ever fielded, claims to the contrary notwithstanding. The Russians might disagree, but you cannot argue with real-world success.
I was against mounting a gun in the F-22, which was a big debate early in its design. The ghosts of Vietnam missiles are long gone, and we have truly reached a point where the gun is no longer needed for A2A. Fuel is so much more important than a 20mm cannon, IMO.
The world of U.S. A-A missiles took a quantum leap forward in the 1970's, and this paralleled huge advances in solid state circuitry and integrated chips. Prior to this, you had missiles like the AIM-7E and AIM-9D/G/H, all of which had rather dismal records in Vietnam combat. Normal practice was to shoot two missiles due to the low Pk. Background clutter for the AIM-7, and oddities in the AIM-9, really limited their effectiveness.
Then, the AIM-7F/M, and especially the AIM-9L, revolutionized tactics as the Pk skyrocketed, and pilots could trust their missiles, which they tended to not do in the past. Actual Pk's are classified, but there is public data to show how deadly they are. My favorite is the Falklands conflict and the AIM-9L. The Brits did not have any sort of decent A-A capability for their Harriers, and a crash course patched the AIM-9L to their jets. There were no range cues, no HUD cues, nothing except the missile audio patched into the headset. The pilots were told "Point at the enemy. When you hear this tone, and he looks in range, shoot the missile."
The Brits were doubtful, but they did what the engineers said. The result - 24 missiles fired, 22 Argentine jets downed. The two misses were kinematic... out of range.
In Desert Storm, if you look here at the list of kills, the right column shows the weapon used. Many will be surprised that the AIM-7 overwhelmingly accounted for more kills than the AIM-9. The AIM-7F, and especially the "M", were very good missiles.
My point: All of this technology is wrapped up in the AIM-120, and the AIM-9M. In the "Mike", Pakistan has what I believe to be the most lethal air-air missile ever fielded, claims to the contrary notwithstanding. The Russians might disagree, but you cannot argue with real-world success.
I was against mounting a gun in the F-22, which was a big debate early in its design. The ghosts of Vietnam missiles are long gone, and we have truly reached a point where the gun is no longer needed for A2A. Fuel is so much more important than a 20mm cannon, IMO.
