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© Raytheon

AERIAL SUPREMACY

New generation aerial weapons will

bring a paradigm shift in aerial warfare

By ATUL CHANDRA

C onstantly evolving aerial the threat and move on to other longevity often associated with the
battlefield tasks. One thing is cer-
best of the breed. Its latest variant
threats and the need to
operate safely in contested
fielding by both the U.S. Air Force
make use of the most advanced
environments mean that ‘First Shot, tain, the latest in air-to-air weapons the AIM-120D-3 is on-track toward
First Kill’ capability is a non-negotia- technology to ensure a deadly ‘No and U.S. Navy. In July, last year,
ble aspect of modern aerial combat. Escape’ zone against aerial targets the USAF and Raytheon (an RTX
Many new generation air-to-air mis- they are tasked with destroying. business) announced the success-
siles are now nearing service entry ful completion of the AIM-120D-3’s
and will provide their operators with Ace in the Pack developmental and operational
a substantial advantage on the testing, culminating with an F-16
modern battlefield. A proliferation of For a missile whose first pro- missile live-fire with production
threats in various domains, means duction contract was awarded hardware and software. Speaking
that fighter aircraft must be able in 1987, the AIM-120 Advanced at that time, Paul Ferraro, president
to quickly engage an aerial target, Medium-Range Air-To-Air Missile of Air Power at Raytheon said the
defeat its countermeasures, destroy (AMRAAM) has displayed the company was ramping up AMRAAM

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