Jump to content

Recommended Posts

How does an AIM-9 sensor work as an internal store? Does it have to be swung down with doors open to acquire the target?

Yes, the trapeze swung down into the position shown in the photo to launch the missile. The initial (1968) Combat Lancer deployment to SEA used the trapeze loaded with a single AIM-9B in the left bay and the M61 Gatling gun in the right bay. By the time of the 1972 Constant Guard V deployment the trapeze had been abandoned.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, the trapeze swung down into the position shown in the photo to launch the missile. The initial (1968) Combat Lancer deployment to SEA used the trapeze loaded with a single AIM-9B in the left bay and the M61 Gatling gun in the right bay. By the time of the 1972 Constant Guard V deployment the trapeze had been abandoned.

Interesting, never knew the AIM-9 was operational with the F-111 in Vietnam. Vark - did the Constant Guard V aircraft retain the M61?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Interesting, never knew the AIM-9 was operational with the F-111 in Vietnam. Vark - did the Constant Guard V aircraft retain the M61?

Yes. The gun was commonly carried on all tactical F-111s up until about 1980.

Link to post
Share on other sites

How does an AIM-9 sensor work as an internal store? Does it have to be swung down with doors open to acquire the target?

The early AIM-9s pretty much stared straight ahead. The later generation AIM-9s could be cued by aircraft sensors, primarily the radar; although, they still needed to "see" the heat source before launch. The 9X Block II has a lock after launch capability. Going further back, the F-106/AIM-4 combo was generally the same way, the IR missiles were cued by the radar or the aircraft's IR sensor, but the missiles still needed to see the target before launch.

Regards,

Murph

Edited by Murph
Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...