USAF and Raytheon complete successful AIM-120C-8 missile firing test
The most recent successful AMRAAM firing an F-15C follows on from other tests including an AMRAAM firing from an F-15C in February 2020. (Photo: USAF)
The AIM-120C-8 is the latest international variant of the AMRAAM air-to-air missile developed under the form, fit, function refresh (F3R). It was fired from an F-15C Eagle and downed the aerial target, meeting all primary objectives for the flight test.
Under the F3R programme, engineers used model-based systems engineering initiatives and other digital technologies to upgrade multiple circuit cards and advanced processors in the guidance section of the missile and to re-host legacy software in the AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 AMRAAMs.
This AIM-120C-8 flight test follows completion of flight testing of the AIM-120D-3. This was carried out in just 11 months after the initial flight test and concluded with showcasing the success of the missile in a highly contested environment.
Related Articles
Sweden to buy advanced US air-to-air missiles amid ongoing NATO membership hurdles
Final flight test of latest AMRAAM missile successful
Recently, the USAF awarded Raytheon a $1.15 billion AMRAAM contract to produce AIM-120D-3 and C-8 missiles for 19 countries.
Thousands of AIM-120 variants have been ordered for US forces since first delivery in 1992 and thousands have also been ordered by a range of countries. Shephard Defence Insight notes it is operated by almost all NATO members as well as other other countries, including Saudi Arabia which has received more than 1,000 missiles, the UAE with more than 700 and Singapore with over 500.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
How do we detect and defeat enemy drones?
Learn about the portfolio of sensors and effectors for the complete counter-UAS mission at Raytheon, an RTX business.
-
BAE Systems lauds counter-UAS drone progression with live fire trials
The US-based tests successfully demonstrated the first live trial of a precision guided missile from a modified TRV-150 drone which destroyed both aerial and ground targets.
-
India readies private sector push as AMCA moves towards 2028 prototype
India’s stealth fighter ambitions gain fresh momentum as HAL opens the door to private sector involvement in AMCA Mk1A structural assembly, with strategic support growing for next-gen propulsion and sensor technologies.
-
BAE Systems reveals new GCAP demonstrator design with plans to fly by 2027
A key part in the trinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), this is the first crewed supersonic aircraft demonstrator to be built and developed in the UK in more than 40 years.
-
Kratos Defense makes European CCA push with Airbus partnership
Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie will be equipped with an Airbus-made mission system to be offered as a ‘European’ collaborative combat aircraft option to the German Air Force.
-
Anduril’s Barracuda-100M completes latest successful test flights
The munitions variant of the Barrauda-100 autonomous air vehicle is being tested for the US Army’s High-Speed Manoeuvrable Missile (HSMM) testbed programme, with further flight tests expected in 2026.