twistedneck wrote:wrightwing wrote:The AIM-120D hasn't been around since the early 90s, nor are it and its strengths/weaknesses known. It shares little in common with early model AMRAAMs, aside from the missile body. The same goes for the AIM-9X Block 2, Standard Missile series, etc..... Their current capabilities far exceed far exceed the imaginations of their developers in the 50s/60s. That's not to say that in the 2020s/30s, that newer more capable AAMs won't be in service, but -120Ds are in no danger of obsolescence.
wrightwing, you are surely correct about the advancement of our old AMRAM into the much more capable AIM120D.. but along these same lines the other great A/A missile for close range is the AIM 9X and over Syria recently a SH fired at a Fitter from point blank range 1.5miles and the Fitter easily spoofed the vaunted AIM 9X.
That is not saying much for the most advanced IR seeker missile in the US inventory.
Actually, the circumstances of the miss haven't been publicly discussed. No official source has stated that the AIM-9X was spoofed into missing. Were I a Fitter pilot, I wouldn't count on that happening again, in any future engagement. As for the AIM-120D, not only does it have significant range and ECCM improvements over early models, but enhanced navigational algorithms, and redundancy in guidance (active seeker, 2 way datalink, GPS, INS, and HOJ.) There's a lot more in the kill chain, that needs to be countered, to spoof a -120D