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Raf_asraamb.jpg
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| AIM-132 ASRAAM
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| Function | short-range air-to-air missile
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| Contractor | MBDA
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| Unit cost |
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| Deployment | {{{Deployment }}}
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| General Characteristics
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| Engine | solid rocket motor
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| Launch mass | 88 kg
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| Length | 2.90 m
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| Diameter | 166 mm
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| Wing span | 450 mm
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| Speed | Mach 3.5
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| Range | 300 m - 18 km
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| Flying altitude | N/A
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| Warhead | 10 kg blast/fragmentation
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| Guidance | Imaging infra-red, 128x128 element focal plane array, with lock-on after launch (LOAL)
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| Fuzes | laser proximity and impact
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| Launch platform | Aircrafts:
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The AIM-132 Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile is a British air-to-air missile with infra-red guidance.
History
In the 1980s, NATO countries had an agreement that the USA would develop a medium-range air-to-air missile (the AIM-120 AMRAAM) to replace the AIM-7 Sparrow, and Britain and Germany would develop a short-range air-to-air missile (the ASRAAM) to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
After numerous development delays with ASRAAM, the USA later changed its mind and developed an improved Sidewinder, the AIM-9X. Note that the AIM-9X uses the same seeker head as the ASRAAM..
Germany left the ASRAAM project in the early 1990s, and in the spring of 1995 initiated an improved version of the Sidewinder, the IRIS-T. This decision was motivated by new insights into the performance of the Russian AA-11 Archer missile carried by the MiG-29s which Germany inherited during reunification.
Notes
The guidance system can lock on to a target 90 degrees off boresight
See also
External links
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