U.S. Air Force Successfully Tests New Advanced Medium-range Air-to-air Missile

U.S. Air Force Successfully Tests New Advanced Medium-range Air-to-air Missile

The U.S. Air Force successfully conducted the new test of an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile, or also know as AMRAAM.

On Feb. 26, 2020, an F-15E Strike Eagle from the 40th Flight Test Squadron launched an AMRAAM near Eglin Air Force Base. Capt Brett Hughes and Capt Kevin Tinsley from the 40th Flight Test Squadron fire an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile.

U.S. Air Force Successfully Tests New Advanced Medium-range Air-to-air Missile
An F-15E Strike Eagle from the 40th Flight Test Squadron prepares to fire an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 26, 2020. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. John Raven)

The mission of the 40 FLTS is to lead an exceptional test and deliver relevant results.

The AMRAAM is the world’s most popular beyond-visual-range missile and is credited with ten air-to-air kills. It has a range of up to 86 miles and flies at speeds over 3,000 mph.

The Raytheon’s website said the procured by 37 countries including the U.S., the combat-proven AMRAAM missile has been integrated onto the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, F-22, Typhoon, Gripen, Tornado, and Harrier. The AIM-120C5 and AIM-120C7 missiles are fully integrated onto the F-35 and support the U.S. Marine Corps’ F-35B initial operational capability as the only air-to-air missile qualified on the F-35.

U.S. Air Force Successfully Tests New Advanced Medium-range Air-to-air Missile
Capt Brett Hughes and Capt Kevin Tinsley from the 40th Flight Test Squadron fire an advanced medium-range air-to-air missile near Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 26, 2020.

In the air-to-air role, no other missile compares to the AMRAAM missile. The weapon’s advanced active guidance section provides aircrew with a high degree of combat flexibility and lethality. Its mature seeker design allows it to quickly find targets in the most combat challenging environments.

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