AIM-7 Sparrow still being used?

[sferrin]

Saw this recent (as in a few days old) video and was surprised to see both Hornets and Super Hornets packing AIM-7s. Thoughts? I figure maybe they're trying to use those first as they've got less life in them than the AIM-120s and AIM-9Xs (which they were also carrying). Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LsBbtJT9kU

[cantaz]

Well, we still do here in Canada. It's better than using up the captive flight life of the more expensive AMRAAMs.

[mixelflick]

Saw this recent (as in a few days old) video and was surprised to see both Hornets and Super Hornets packing AIM-7s. Thoughts? I figure maybe they're trying to use those first as they've got less life in them than the AIM-120s and AIM-9Xs (which they were also carrying). Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LsBbtJT9kU

The only story I have was from an F-15 driver. This was years ago when they were flying with both Sparrow's and AMRAAM's but... he said the sparrow's warhead made for one hell of an explosion. Much moreso than AMRAAM. I suppose the end result is what matters, but still thought it courious..

[sergei]

if the old rocket is used something means with new not well or at the price of their use

[tacf-x]

Saw this recent (as in a few days old) video and was surprised to see both Hornets and Super Hornets packing AIM-7s. Thoughts? I figure maybe they're trying to use those first as they've got less life in them than the AIM-120s and AIM-9Xs (which they were also carrying). Thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LsBbtJT9kU

I think Australia still trains with Sparrows too. I believe your assumption is correct in that they might as well use them instead of just throwing them away. While the sparrow is a larger missile than the AMRAAM the AMRAAM is faster and therefore the fragments from the warhead going off should have more kinetic energy from their forward/axial velocity to compensate for the smaller warhead size so I don't see why the sparrow is more useful for intercepting larger targets like what some people seem to be suggesting.

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

Sorry, the AMRAAM is not that fast in the terminal phase compared tot he Sparrow. The Sparrow on the other hand has twice the explosive.

[FlightDreamz]

Other posters already beat me to it, but I'll throw in my anyway. While sprstdlyscottsmn, mixelflick and tacf-x pointed out the AiM-7 does have a bigger warhead (could prove useful in some situations I guess). I think the fact that they're in inventory, already paid for, and have a limited shelf life - they're just using the Sparrows up (as Sferrin and tacf-x have already speculated).

[geforcerfx]

I like how they say they are refueling to go strike, yet there nothing but A2A. There's enough empty pylons maybe there on there way out?

[sergei]

Finnish Defence Forces reported that the United States had not delivered any of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles they had ordered due to a mysterious engine malfunction in cold weather that the manufacturer, Raytheon, has not been able to determine the fault of.

[KamenRiderBlade]

Finnish Defence Forces reported that the United States had not delivered any of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles they had ordered due to a mysterious engine malfunction in cold weather that the manufacturer, Raytheon, has not been able to determine the fault of.

You know Sprey and his ilk will be on this.

Claiming how the Meteor is the proper solution to the AMRAAM problem now.

=D

[sergei]

Finnish Defence Forces reported that the United States had not delivered any of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles they had ordered due to a mysterious engine malfunction in cold weather that the manufacturer, Raytheon, has not been able to determine the fault of.

You know Sprey and his ilk will be on this.

Claiming how the Meteor is the proper solution to the AMRAAM problem now.

=D

Sprey? Meteor ? 0_o

[basher54321]

Finnish Defence Forces reported that the United States had not delivered any of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles they had ordered due to a mysterious engine malfunction in cold weather that the manufacturer, Raytheon, has not been able to determine the fault of.

That was reported in 2012 - they still could use the older AIM-120s they had.

Would think some progress had been made by now?


http://www.airforce-technology.com/news ... -air-force

[popcorn]

Finnish Defence Forces reported that the United States had not delivered any of the AMRAAM anti-aircraft missiles they had ordered due to a mysterious engine malfunction in cold weather that the manufacturer, Raytheon, has not been able to determine the fault of.

That was reported in 2012 - they still could use the older AIM-120s they had.

Would think some progress had been made by now?


http://www.airforce-technology.com/news ... -air-force

Yeah, that‘s old news.
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... es-379611/

[hornetfinn]

Yes rather old news indeed.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-receives-1000th-amraam-rocket-motor-delivery-232227981.html

[sergei]

http://www.airforce-technology.com/news ... -air-force

Yeah, that‘s old news.
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articl ... es-379611/

"We expect to recover mid-next year," maybe they aren't in time or Norway has no money for replacement?