AMRAAM Test

Raytheon announced last week that the seventh test flight of the AIM-120D, the newest variant of the advanced medium range air-to-air missile, “achieved all primary test objectives” based on initial analysis. The previously undisclosed test took place on March 19 at Eglin AFB, Fla., the company said. An Air Force F-15D fighter fired the AIM-120D. “The hard work of the US government-Raytheon team to deliver a world-class missile continues to pay off,” Col. Michael Andersen, commander of the 328th Armament Systems Group at Eglin, said in the release. He said the AIM-120D program is “on track” and called the new munition “the most capable beyond-visual range air-to-air missile ever fielded.” The D model is reported to have increased jam resistance in the face of adversary electronic attack systems, a two-way datalink, and GPS-aided navigation. According to Raytheon, it has been tested on the Navy F/A-18E/F in addition to the F-15C/D. The company noted that the missile achieved “a direct hit on the target” in its sixth flight test, two weeks prior to March 19.