Want to add something to all the comparisons. The ASRAAM can be used in a 360 degree field of combat can be launched and then target aircraft directly behind the aircraft. This comes from a document from Australia when detailing the combat envelopes of ASRAAM against R73. Also from a slide from MBDA detailing the missile. Now I know other missiles have similar capabilities but from what I’m aware only ASRAAM is the one that can launch and target aircraft directly behind.
thats just kinda a thing with all(at least western) SRAAMs. IRIS-T, ASRAAM, MICA-IR, AIM-9X Block II all do that.
For the IRIS-T i believe its mentioned in some of Diehl’s brochures but it was also said to be the case by Lw pilots.
In the video series with JP Performance the pilot specifically said that with the IRIS-T he could look behind himself and launch the missile and it would do its job.
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Don’t forget the Python 5!
Plus the Mica IR cannot really be shot at 360° without an allied datalink or an HMS.
The Mica IR only has a 60° glimbal compared to the 90° of all the other modern IR missile which means it has a harder Time for HOB shot.
Otherwise all those missile can turn 180° but the question is : In how mutch time?
The Asraam is probably the slowest ( no TVC and low surface control) while the Iris T / A darter are probably the fastest (180° in less than 3 sec)
the ASRAAM has thrust vectoring tho iirc
It does not
really? ok wow, nvm then. I thought I read that somewhere, besides basically every modern missile has it, just seems odd the ASRAAM doesnt have it.
The ASRAAM trades the thrust vectoring for having a big ass booster motor compared to the thrust vectoring missiles
mhm makes sense, was wondering how it achieved such a long range in comparison to other missiles
a combination of loal, big thrust, and body dynamics that do offer good maneuverability, focus on sustaining speed
big thrust and long thrust.
the rocket motor in the ASRAAM is significantly bigger than in other missiles like the IRIS-T or AIM-9X
i wonder how much it affects maneuverability
no, only P3I ASRAAM
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maybe that was the one i read about, i dont remember
That’s not entirely true, at least when used on Rafale.
Rafale’s weapon system uses sensor fusion to generate tracking data for the missiles.
This includes the 360° passive IR sensors, so as long as the IR sensors can see the threat, a Rafale should be able to fire a MICA onto it without the help of a friendly aircraft.
IMO this is part of the reason why the french airforce really didn’t rush to integrate an HMS on the Rafale.
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Amusing discussion since all sources should be classified. IRIS-T is acknowledged by many to be the best short range ir guided missile, with other misisles such as A-Darter or Python 5 obviously being very close.
No one can tell which does in fact have the best performance or is the most reliant when fired under ideal circumstances.
we might get some info on their performance vs russian helicopters as the SLS(basically the air launched one but surface launched with little to no modifications) has just started to be delivered to Ukraine
ASRAAM Block 6 entered service in 2022. The block 6 introduces new and updated sub-systems, and replaces external cooling with a new internal cooler. The seeker has been replaced with a new UK built seeker of higher resolution. There are no US-made components, meaning that it does not come under ITAR restrictions and can therefore be exported without US approval.
I’m interested in seeing how it performs in Ukraine against aerial targets, given it’s got a fire and forget mode, so it’ll be interesting to see how it fairs against live targets.
whats the res now then
Don’t know, no number was given.
I can’t find a resolution either. Probably classified, or otherwise not released.
IRIS-T, meanwhile, uses a two-colour seeker based around a 128 x 2 array which uses a scanning mirror to build a larger picture of its ±90° field of view. Matra BAe Dynamics uses a similar system on the IR-guided version of its medium-range Mica missile. Mica is also available with a radar seeker. Another difference between IRIS-T and AIM-9X is that the former uses a Ku-band radar as the fuze, whereas Raytheon’s missile has a laser sensor.
BGT IRIS-T marketing manager Gerhard Dussler says the 128 x 2 element array produces a 128 x 128 size picture 80 times a second and, like its competitors, uses aim point selection for greater accuracy and to defeat IR countermeasures. He claims the array allows a smaller radome that eliminates dome-heating problems. Dome heating caused by a missile’s high speed is an issue for a sensor which relies on detecting differences in temperature. A high temperature dome will appear as background radiation, often obliterating the image of a target at a distance.
Dussler says the two rows of 128 elements are offset, creating a so-called “staggered linear array” so that data does not “fall through the gaps” created when the rows are aligned.
So if I’m reading that correctly the IRIS-T seeker resolution is 128 px x 2 px and it uses a mechanically scanning mirror to build a 128 px x 128 px image? Seems like an interesting approach.