i think it was designed for Dog fights(i htink it was the germans who insisted on keeping the missile as a short-range primary Dog fight weapon) so i guess Sidewinder 9L is what it replaces in our Airforce. the Fact that weve opted to change over to it, rather then get the Side winder 9x would suggest that we prefer an Indigenous solution when it comes to Electronics and missiles. but if RRAF chose the missile then its simply a matter of Quality of the product.It must be Darn good then.
Aussie Digger its not about the range its about the Capability its provides to an operator i must say the thought of having a superior Missile integrated with a HMD sight and the cueing system is quiet exciting, this is a short range weapon and it does what its suppose to do really nicely.
Asraam Cleared For Operational Deployment
(Source : MBDA ; issued Sept. 14, 2002)
MBDAs ASRAAM next generation short-range air-to-air combat missile is being readied for operational deployment by the Royal Air Force following the successful completion of missile training by its frontline Tornado Squadrons.
Aircrew at RAF Leuchars, RAF Coningsby and RAF Leeming have been training with ASRAAM since January to familiarize themselves with the missiles capabilities and performance ahead of deployment to operational theatres. The training demonstrated the tactical advantages provided by ASRAAM in simulated combat engagements against other air forces in the Air Combat Maneuvering Range in the North Sea. Training is now complete and the missile is ready to go into full operational service.
We are delighted that ASRAAM is now ready for deployment by the Royal Air Force, said Alan Garwood, Chief Operating Officer for MBDA. The missiles performance edge has been proven and all the feedback we have received from aircrew confirms that ASRAAMs capability leapfrogs Sidewinder and other short-range air-to-air missiles in service.
ASRAAM will be the primary air combat missile for the RAFs Tornado F3 and, subsequently, the Typhoon combat aircraft. The missile replaces the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, giving the RAF a significant superiority in short-range air-to-air combat.
Alan Sparkes, MBDA ASRAAM Project Head said: The results of the ASRAAM trials program and recent aircrew training demonstrate the revolutionary design and aerial combat superiority of ASRAAM, which was sought for the RAF from the outset.
ASRAAM is a revolutionary design offering the fastest reaction time of any short-range missile from button press to end game performance. The ability to launch at high off-boresight angles plus the missiles agility, short-time-to-target and effectiveness to defeat all known future threats in the severest cloud clutter and countermeasures environments provides the pilot with significant tactical advantages during aerial engagements. With its unique lock after launch capability and potential for future performance development, ASRAAM has been specified for internal carriage on the UK variant of the future Joint Strike Fighter, Sparkes added.
(Source : UK Ministry of Defence; issued Sept. 13, 2002)
RAF fighter squadrons are being equipped with the latest, fastest and most lethal short-range anti-aircraft missile in the world, Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach announced today.
The new UK-designed weapon, named ASRAAM (Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile), chases down targets using a highly advanced homing head. It can see an image of the hostile aircraft it is about to destroy.
Lord Bach said:
This missile is the best of its kind in the world. It can go further and faster than the weapon it replaces - the Sidewinder - and its advanced homing head and in-flight agility mean it will be almost impossible to evade.
Air Cdre Andy Sweetman, the MODs Director of Equipment Capability who has been responsible for bringing ASRAAM into service, said:I believe this is the best air-to-air missile in the world. It will give the RAF a combat-winning edge and our aircrews the confidence that they can prevail against any potential adversary.
The RAF has successfully completed a demanding series of trials with ASRAAM and the weapon is now ready to be deployed on operations. It is a fast, highly agile, fire-and-forget missile for short-range air-to-air combat. It is highly capable even when faced with sophisticated infrared countermeasures. It will be carried by Tornado F3, replacing Sidewinder AIM-9L, and will also be fitted to the Typhoon when the aircraft becomes available for operational deployment later this decade.
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BACKGROUND NOTES:
1. There will be a continued incremental development programme with further software upgrades to optimise the missiles operational capability. The total procurement cost is £857M; £9M less than the original cost when the project was approved.
2. All three front-line F3 bases are now equipped with ASRAAM (5 Sqn at RAF Coningsby; 11 Sqn and 25 Sqn at RAF Leeming; 43 Sqn and 111 Sqn at RAF Leuchars). (ends)
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