Forum: F-22A Raptor

For some reason I was thinking about this the other morning. Since the Raptor carries everything internally how does the seeker on the 9x lock before it's launched? From reading it seems they only carry the 9's in the side bays. Does the pilot select the 9 for launch, opens a side bay door and then wait for seeker lock of a target?

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F-22s can't carry AIM-9X

Well guess I mistyped. My usage for "x" was meant as more of a generic model rather than typing 9 L or M, P, etc. How about if I rephrase it as just AIM-9?

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 15, 2006 - 12:28 AM Posts: 760

Blu4 wrote:

F-22s can't carry AIM-9X

I thought they could. I was under the impression they just haven’t been certified yet. I was under the impression older aircraft have been given the AIM-9X first to increase their capabilities as a stopgap measure.

????

I think the first one or two lots might not be fully compatible with the F-22, but I thought the lot that just started production, or the next lot was to be fully compatible with the F-22?

While tracking an aircraft with -9 selected, once within range and view of the seeker, the doors will open, the missile's seeker (slaved to the fire control's target track) will lock on and the pilot will fire.

The above has no basis in fact, but that's how I would sequence it to avoid the doors hanging open longer than nessesary.

Blu4 wrote:

F-22s can't carry AIM-9X

I can't imagine the Air Forces new weapon not being able to carry the newest AIM-9 Confused

For what's it's worth from what I'm reading the AIM-9X's fins are too big to fit however later models are supposed to have smaller fins. From that I assume the true 9X has larger fins than previous versions?

From what I remember from my time at Eglin, the -9X had significantly smaller fins than the legacy AIM-9's. Of course I'm not 100%, that was a few years ago and I may be confusing it with another missle...

the 9x fins are about 1/4 the size of the old school heaters. I know the 22 doesnt have JHMCS, thats what you might be thinking.

Active Member Joined: Jun 01, 2004 - 08:55 AM Posts: 134

aim-9x fins are smaller than older versions of the sidewinder. they will be certified for the raptor in the near future.

akruse21 wrote:

the 9x fins are about 1/4 the size of the old school heaters. I know the 22 doesnt have JHMCS, thats what you might be thinking.

I suspect that JHMCS isn't required for HOBS designating...the capabiulity is somehow integrated into the aircraft sensors.

Just guessng however...

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 15, 2006 - 12:28 AM Posts: 760

(Disclaimer. This is vaguely from my memory and from an array of public sources, so my memory and conjecture and understanding may be off-base. I may be confusing attributes from other missiles, such as the AIM-120. )

I was under the impression that the F-22 is already flying with the AIM-9M (or some other variant), therefore I assume the AIM-9X would also work.

I think other aircraft are getting preferential certification and shipments of the AIM-9X as a stopgap measure to increase the capability of older aircraft.

I think the first deliveries of the AIM-9X, isn't as advanced as more recent lots or lots being manufactured.

I think the more advanced lots have more electronics. I think the first lot(s) of the AIM-9X needs to be fired using radar for positioning information. I think later lots can be fired without locking before launch. I think there is better datalink information from the hardwire link prior to launch, and possibly a radio link after launch, that can possibly be assisted from a third party aircraft so the missile can get additional targeting information after launch without the host F-22 having to emit EM. The advanced features are more important for the F-22 because it can help prevent the detection of the host F-22 and reduce the chance of an enemy detecting the launch of the missile.
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I think there was a similar evolution with the F-16 and AIM-120. If I remember correctly the F-16 was not certified to use the AIM-120 when it first entered service, though it would fit and I think it was possible to fire it in a very primitive “SARH or ≈active hunter mode”. I think next came the proper hardwire datalink feed from the aircraft, so it could properly target and launch the missile. I think now there are radio datalink packages available so the AIM-120 can get telemetry updates from the host aircraft.

I think the F-16 was originally conceived to have all these capabilities, however due to budget constraints (from politicians/Congress) and lagging/advancing technology and manufacturing, all the capabilities may have not been available or deployed when they first entered service.

No, I didn't misunderstand the difference between AIM-9X and JHMCS, I'm well familiar with what each of those is. The fact is, F-22s do not carry AIM-9X, only AIM-9M. They are not capable of carrying the missile until later software updates. Although its a long thread, its discussee in this topic on fencecheck, with numerous inputs from Dozer, the F-22 squadron commander in Alaska. Specifically, pages 22 and 23 confirm that the Raptors are indeed, incapable of employing AIM-9X.

http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/index. ... .1140.html

Lots of speculation about what AIM-9X can and cannot do above. Anybody who knows shouldn't be commenting anyway.

Well Blu4 you did say that the F-22 can't carry the AIM-9X which is flat out wrong. It can carry it, it just doesn't employ it. Further in your most recent post you clearly state that they are not capable of carrying it. Still wrong.

checksixx wrote:

It can carry it, it just doesn't employ it.

Doesn't employ it or can't employ it as of now (due to lack of integration/software implementation)?

Don't the AIM-9LM/X/IRIS-T/AIM-132 all employ the same, standardized mounting, which means that any plane being able to carry the -LM can technically carry all of the other?

Forum: F-22A Raptor

F-22 and AIM9x launch