User Guide

WEAPONS
Range. The weapon’s range in nautical miles. In some cases, the range of the weapon will depend
on the altitude and velocity of the launch platform. In other cases, the lock range (the range at
which the weapon can acquire a valid target) will be less than the true range of the weapon.
Both exceptions are noted in the description.
HUD Mode. The mode displayed in the lower left corner of the HUD, under the airspeed tape. If the
weapon can be used in more than one mode, they will be separated by a slash.
Guidance. The type of guidance system the weapon uses.
Cost. The cost of the weapon, in dollars, to the Wildcats.
AIM-9J
Range ...................6 nm
HUD Mode ............SRM
Guidance ..............IR homing
Cost ......................$30,000
The AIM-9J is an antique. It is a testament to the very solid design of the Sidewinder series that it is
still in service at all. The seeker head is of an old type and is quite prone to countermeasure
distraction (flares). These missiles have even been known to veer into the sun every now and then.
This seeker is not sensitive enough to lock onto a target from the front; the weapon must see the
rear aspect (hot tailpipe) in order to acquire the target. It does have some hidden advantages,
though. The warhead is detonated by a proximity sensor (like most AAMs), but the fuse is as
antique as the missile, and usually functions only after the missile is inside the target. This means
that while the -9J will sometimes miss its target, when it hits the results are catastrophic. It is also
very cheap, as AAMs go.
AIM-120 AMRAAM
Range ...................40 nm
HUD Mode ............MRM
Guidance ..............Semi-active
radar homing
Cost ......................$200,000
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile is the current last word in BVR (beyond
visual range) weaponry. It is a terminally active radar homer with inertial guidance up to the
activation point, and is capable of receiving mid course updates. What that means is the missile is
launched in the direction of a bogey (usually at a radar blip), maintains its heading with very precise
gyros and fast microprocessors, and at a set point turns on its internal radar and hunts the target
on its own. Any time during the flight, the firing platform may transmit a new heading to the missile
by radio and the missile will go off in another direction. The mid-course updating process is usually
carried out by computer. The weapon travels at a peak velocity of Mach 4.2. The warhead is
detonated by a very fast and reliable laser proximity fuse. The only bad thing about the weapon is
that it can’t turn very well, limiting its use in dogfights. But, like they say, long distance is the next
best thing to being there.
REFERENCE
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