Missile AIM-132 ASRAAM
Summary
| Category | Air-to-Air Missiles |
| Sub-type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Origin country | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Manufacturer | MBDA |
| Status | In service |
| Year of service | 1998 |
| Est. avg unit price | $0.3 million |
Technical specifications
| Warhead | Blast/fragmentation |
| Warhead weight | 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Diameter | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Span | 450 mm (17.7 in) |
| Length | 2,900 mm (114.2 in) |
| Weight | 88 kg (194 lb) |
| Range | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Max. speed | 3,675 km/h (Mach 3.7) |
AIM-132 ASRAAM scale diagram
Description
The AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) is a British-developed infrared-guided missile designed for close-range combat. Produced by MBDA, the AIM-132 ASRAAM was introduced into service in the late 1990s and is used by several countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, and others.
The AIM-132 ASRAAM employs an infrared imaging seeker for its guidance system, which allows it to target the heat signatures generally emitted by an aircraft's engines. This enables "fire-and-forget" capabilities, as the missile can autonomously track and engage its target post-launch.
One of the standout features of the ASRAAM is its high speed and agility. Propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor, the missile is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 3. It's designed to be highly maneuverable, making it effective in dogfighting scenarios and allowing it to engage targets at high off-boresight angles.
The ASRAAM is compatible with a wide variety of Western aircraft, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18 Hornet, and F-35 Lightning II, among others. Its compact form factor and versatility make it a suitable choice for various platforms.
The missile features advanced counter-countermeasures, including the ability to distinguish between target aircraft and deployed flares. This enhances its effectiveness in modern air combat environments where electronic warfare and countermeasures are common.