AIM-120D's new engine?

[Force_Feedback]

Beast, rail wear problems? Does that mean the 9X is active and guiding before it even leaves the rail?

 

D-Scythe, that D photo is pretty distorted, and its an inert weapon anyway...hence the blue stripes. ;)

 

50% greater range? Its definitely possible with improvements in propellant.

 

Yup, a slower burning motor, combined with the extra space very well may give it a 50% range boost, the average speed will drop though, or they should have made something that burns almost twice as long with the same thrust output.

[Cobra360]

A key requirement of the D is the 50% range increase and to increase the no escape zone of the missile, the best way to do this is to have the highest possible speed for the longest time possible.

 

The Airforce want the longer no escape zone the most, while the Navy want the 50% range increase because of the retirement of the AIM-54. I think they may need to re-think the ramjet option of the FMRAAM and BVRAAM projects and try to modify it ino the existing and newer 120s.

[tflash]

Yeah? Ever built one? Have a clue as to what sort of processing hardware is needed? Maybe you didn't realize that the 'general purpose PC processor' just isn't enough for the work required? Maybe additional processors are needed, like DSPs, etc? Maybe there's also parts of the radar which need to actually -be- of a certain size and shape to function correctly, and there was a breakthrough that allowed miniaturization? Maybe 'electronics' is more than just what's in your PC? ;) Ever wandered /seen how much space the computer hardware onboard a fighter takes up? A SAM station?

 

The actual, factual reason reason for the space increase and this the ability to add a bigger rocket is the miniaturization of hardware.

 

http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-120.html has a drawing of the inside of AIM-120A

[Guest IguanaKing]

Yup, a slower burning motor, combined with the extra space very well may give it a 50% range boost, the average speed will drop though, or they should have made something that burns almost twice as long with the same thrust output.

 

Well, it all depends on how much PE is available in a given mass of propellant. Nozzle shape can also have an effect on that. Square nozzles are ideal for maximum output, because that shape actually creates less drag on the resultant expulsion of propellant gases. A major problem with that method is directional stability.

[TucksonSonny]

Yeah? Ever built one? Have a clue as to what sort of processing hardware is needed? Maybe you didn't realize that the 'general purpose PC processor' just isn't enough for the work required? Maybe additional processors are needed, like DSPs, etc? Maybe there's also parts of the radar which need to actually -be- of a certain size and shape to function correctly, and there was a breakthrough that allowed miniaturization? Maybe 'electronics' is more than just what's in your PC? ;) Ever wandered /seen how much space the computer hardware onboard a fighter takes up? A SAM station?

 

The actual, factual reason reason for the space increase and this the ability to add a bigger rocket is the miniaturization of hardware.

 

AIM-120A

 

Even if you would replace the electronics compartment with fuel you would never get 50% extra fuel which is needed to increase the range with 50%.

You have a point: 5% extra space would be possible :thumbup: .

[GGTharos]

Quite a bit more than 5% ... at the same time propellant advancement will also help ;)

 

The current version of the AMRAAM has a nice empty spot in it filled with ballast thanks to the miniaturization.

[TucksonSonny]

Quite a bit more than 5% ... at the same time propellant advancement will also help ;)

 

The current version of the AMRAAM has a nice empty spot in it filled with ballast thanks to the miniaturization.

 

Ok; I can agree with 9% :D

[Guest IguanaKing]

See above comments about changes in propellant for increase in range. ;)

[Force_Feedback]

But the body itself also has a maximum speed, I mean, even if they built a motor that can speed it up to Mach 6, there are chances the thing will go from Mach 6 to Mach 3 in a few seconds due to the airframe design.

 

Lordi!!!!!! :punk: \""/

[GGTharos]

I think the missile sustains speed longer - it may have a slightly higher velocity, but we're probably looking at 'more sustain time'.

[Guest IguanaKing]

Yup...could be a mixture of propellants. BTW...many black powder rifle shooters think .223 will disintegrate when hitting a blade of grass. Too bad they haven't tried M855 (a 62G .223 round), because its got a muzzle velocity of 3600 FPS and will perforate .0125 hardened steel at 600 yards. Lots of things are possible with the proper propellant. ;)

[nscode]

3600 FPS? It must have a damn good CPU & graphics inside :megalol:

[TucksonSonny]

See above comments about changes in propellant for increase in range. ;)

 

If I recall it correctly these improvements were already used on the 120B and 120C models.

[The Beast]

Beast, rail wear problems? Does that mean the 9X is active and guiding before it even leaves the rail?

 

in away yes it is active and tracking well before it leaves the rail however i was refering to the weight displacement all the weight is up front and all the vibrrations from flight make the rail wear extremly fast

[GGTharos]

If I recall it correctly these improvements were already used on the 120B and 120C models.

 

You don't recall correctly. The larger rocket hasn't been fitted to the existing models, although IIRC there has always been some slow improvement one way or the other - the 120B was claimed to out-range teh 120A, and the 120C in turn would out-range the 120B slightly - the D is a different story.