southerncross wrote:Of course, but it will decelerate strongly if forced to maneuver and besides will have difficulties to find the necessary lift to turn. Or maybe the best way to fight missiles of lofted trajectory is to remain low?
Spurt has taken into account the effect of deceleration when missiles maneuver, even the fins turning are considered
southerncross wrote:Sorry, what was the source of those graphs again? CFD-based analysis from other sources does not match that data.
Honestly I need to research the AIM-120D more, the range jump (essentially doubled) from earlier versions without engine change is far from clear to me. Also I need to understand what is the useful range of AAMs against maneuvering targets, it seems to be a far cry from marketing data.
It is done by Spurt, He modeling standard atmosphere from sea level to 130,000ft and CFD based wave drag profile for missiles from subsonic to above Mach 3 came from a study. Size and propellant load of missiles came from miniZAP file. Then he simulates the guidance logic.
AFAIK, there is no other simulation of AIM-120D apart from the one done by Spurt. His results have been very consistant with flight manual data and he is an aero engineer so I trust him.
But, tbh, your skepticism of AIM-120D range is normal, I and even Spurt had the same opinion before the simulation is ran.
southerncross wrote:But then they solved the issue with Russian missiles right? If not, why to buy so many of them?
Because Indian will also have Rafale and Meteor.
Furthermore, R-27ER range is good.