ALCON,
Some clarifications on how the original AIM-54 worked:
- The missile's midcourse guidance relied on an on-board autopilot system, which in turn received updates from the AWG-9 radar as to the target's current position. This is similar to how semi-actively guided missiles are directed to their targets (such as the AIM-7Es and R-27Rs in the IRIAF's inventories).
- Then, in the last 18km before the target, the active radar seeker engaged the target itself.
To several points brought up:
- Could this missile be fired at a target with the assistance of ground-based radars? Possibly, but depending on launch altitude, the ability of the A2A to "talk" to the ground based radar might present a problem. Also, this would severely limit where you could fire the missile, as there would need to be a compatible radar nearby. Also, terrain presents a major problem if you're relying on ground-based radar for your target tracking.
- Is if feasible the Fakour90 has an active seeker with greater range than the AIM-54A? Certainly. Active-radar seeker tech has improved a great deal since the 1970s. The ARH seekers used by missiles like the AIM-120 and R-77 have ranges greater than the 18km of the AIM-54 and use much smaller antennas. However, we don't have much to go on to even guess what this new missile's seeker range would be.
Also, just to clear up, only Iran's shorter range AshMs (Kosar and Nasr) have ARH systems that allow them to be truly self-guided for their entire flight to target. Their longer range missiles (aka the C-802 based family) use a different and more problematic method of guidance. I could go into more detail but that would be placed in another thread. Needless to say, whether they be A2A or AshM, long range missiles need "help" to find their targets, in the form of some kind of mid-course guidance system.