testudine2002 Posted March 2, 2019 Posted March 2, 2019 I read about these missile online which was interesting, but I don't understand how to apply this knowledge in game. Practically, when would I use the l, m, and x versions of the aim-9 and what would be the difference?
Nealius Posted March 2, 2019 Posted March 2, 2019 L is the only one I'm not 100% familiar with, but I believe it's rear-aspect only; meaning you have to looking at the opponent's exhaust pipes for the missile to track him. M is all-aspect, so you can shoot at a target that's coming at you, going away from you, or moving perpendicular to you. X is an M on steroids and can do crazy 90 degree turns immediately after launch, meaning you don't even have to point your nose at the bad guy to shoot him.
testudine2002 Posted March 2, 2019 Author Posted March 2, 2019 L is the only one I'm not 100% familiar with, but I believe it's rear-aspect only; meaning you have to looking at the opponent's exhaust pipes for the missile to track him. M is all-aspect, so you can shoot at a target that's coming at you, going away from you, or moving perpendicular to you. X is an M on steroids and can do crazy 90 degree turns immediately after launch, meaning you don't even have to point your nose at the bad guy to shoot him. This was sort of the picture that I had in my mind after reading Wiki. I guess my question would be why would anyone ever use the lima if the others are better? I also noticed that we has the choice to fire these out of different launchers too like lau 115, lau115c, and lau 127. So there's three different sidewinders and each can be fired from three different launchers (I think that's what this means). That's 9 different permutations of firing sidewinders. While I like the variety, I'm struggling to understand when to use what. I guess I should always use the AIM X because it is the best one, right?
Jazz_44 Posted March 2, 2019 Posted March 2, 2019 If it's a single player mission, sure, use the latest and greatest. If you are in MP, then depends on the server, some restrict certain weapons. If you want to go with a historical scenario, then it's possible that only the Lima was available at that time.
falcon_120 Posted March 2, 2019 Posted March 2, 2019 I think the Lima is an all aspect missile. Enviado desde mi SM-G950F mediante Tapatalk
Nealius Posted March 2, 2019 Posted March 2, 2019 Yep just checked. Lima is all-aspect. I'm guessing it's an export version? Perhaps more susceptible to flares than the Mike?
testudine2002 Posted March 2, 2019 Author Posted March 2, 2019 What about the choice of launchers? That doesn't matter, right?
Nealius Posted March 3, 2019 Posted March 3, 2019 Not particularly. I think the launchers only change depending on when you're carrying a single missile or a pair of missiles. Since we can't carry a single missile on a dual launcher I question why the launchers are even detailed in the loadout screen.
AKarhu Posted March 3, 2019 Posted March 3, 2019 9M is an update to 9L. Changes include improvement in guidance electronics and less-smoky rocket motor. Some export customers use the Lima while others use Mike, I am not sure if any uses both. Export customers are often using 9X operationally these days anyway. 9X is an entirely different missile, having not much anything to do with the classic Sidewinder, even though it reuses the warhead and the basic rocket motor of the 9M.
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