Iron_physik Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Hello all! The AIM-7 Sparrow (Airbourne Interception Missile) is a radar guided air to air missile, it used alongside the famous AIM-9 sidewinder and also infuenced aerial combat quite alot. it was the forefront of todays BVR combat. In the begining and a brief explaination of how the AIM-7 works unlike the AIM-9 sidewinder, the AIM-7 uses radiowaves to guide to its target, im going to explain how its done: Spoiler first introduction: The seeker of the AIM-7 works on radio frequency, but it doesnt send out its own radar rays, it only can receive them, the radar waves to guide the missile come from the carrier airplane. this is called Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) How SARH works on the AIM-7 (past AIM-7C) Target illumination for the missile is provided by injecting Continious wave energy into the Airbourne intercept radar antenna of the launching aircraft. The missile uses a Semiactive target seeker. This seeker has 2 antennas, one pointing forward the other backward. The front antenna receives the signal reflected from the illuminated target and the rear antenna receives the radar signal from the carrier airplane. AIM-7 front section A comparison of both signals will result in a doppler frequency which is used to filter out bad radar contacts from the target to be seen as target by the missile, you need to overcome the speedgate of the seeker, thus the missile only looks for moving contacts with a large doppler shift between reflected signal, and original radar beam. the nose antenna uses a conical scan pattern (GIF below) to find its target Conscan means that the antenna rotates around its own axis and with that the missile then knows where the target is in front of it. all contacts of the Frontal seeker are then compared to the signal from the rear antenna, if it has a high enough doppler shift the missile tracks it and with its autopilot it tries to fly itself to the target using the 4 frontal wings when the missile then gets within 25ft of the target it will detonate thanks to its radio proximity fuze. This however also means that you cant select what target the missile goes for with your radar lock, in reality the missile flies towards the best radar contact inside the illumination cone of the main radar. DCS does not model this! The Sparrow Evolution and Performance Thanks to MacedonianSukhoi for the image. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7A - Sparrow I The history of the Sparrow missile dates back to 1947, when the U.S. Navy contracted Sperry to develop a beam-riding guidance system for a standard 12.7 cm (5 in) HVAR (High Velocity Aerial Rocket). The original designation for this missile project was KAS-1, but this was changed to AAM-2 in September 1947 and to AAM-N-2 in early 1948. The 5" diameter soon proved to be too small, so Douglas developed a new airframe of 20.3 cm (8 in) diameter. The first unpowered flight tests of XAAM-N-2 prototypes occurred in 1948. Development was difficult, however, and the first successful air-to-air interception was only done in December 1952. The AAM-N-2 Sparrow I entered service in 1956 with F3H-2M Demon and F7U-3M Cutlass fighters. Because of the inherent disadvantages of beam-riding guidance, like poor low-level performance, only 2000 Sparrow I missiles were produced, and it was withdrawn from service after only a few years. Another drawback of the AAM-N-2 was that the guidance beam was slaved to an optical sight in the aircraft, which necessitated visual identification of the target, making the Sparrow I a short-range VFR missile only. Performance AIM-7A Length: 3.74 m (147.3 in) Finspan: 0.94 m (37 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 143 kg (315 lb) Speed: Mach 2.5 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 7100lbs (3220kg) for 2.04sec Guidance duration: N/A Warhead: 20 kg (45 lb) EX25 Mod.0 warhead with 4.2kg (9.25lbs) of H.6 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Beam Riding Maneuvering capability: N/A Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7B - Sparrow II Because of the above noted principal problems of the AAM-N-2, new guidance methods were searched almost from the beginning. As early as 1950, Douglas studied the possibility of equipping the Sparrow with a active radar-homing seeker. By 1955 Douglas proposed going ahead with development, intending it to be the primary weapon for the F5D Skylancer interceptor. It was later selected, with some controversy, to be the primary weapon for the Canadian Avro Arrow supersonic interceptor, along with the new Astra fire-control system. For Canadian use and as a second source for US missiles, Canadair was selected to build the missiles in Quebec. The small size of the missile forebody and the K-band AN/APQ-64-radar limited performance, and it was never able to work in testing. After considerable development and test firings in the U.S. and Canada, Douglas abandoned development in 1956. Canadair continued development until the Arrow was cancelled in 1959. Performance AIM-7B Length: 3.65 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 190 kg (420 lb) Speed: Mach 2,67 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 8000lbs (3628kg) for 1.84sec Guidance duration: N/A Warhead: 20 kg (45 lb) Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Active Radar Homing (ARH) (active) Seeker range: 12km (6NM) Aerodynamic Range (50kft alt): 28km Maneuvering capability: 20g Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7C - Sparrow III After the failure of the Sparrow II program other ways of guidance where considered. The development of the modern sparrow started in 1955 by raytheon. The Sparrow III and all subsequent versions of Sparrow used semi-active radar homing. After tests with YAAM-N-6 R&D missiles, production of the tactical AAM-N-6 began in January 1958, and it entered service in August 1958. The missile had an Aerojet solid-fueled rocket motor, and a 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous-rod warhead. Performance AIM-7C Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 172 kg (380 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Aerojet 1.8KS7800 solid rocket Thrust: 7100lbs (3220kg) for 2.04sec Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 12 km (6.5 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 18 km (10 NM) Maneuvering capability: 16g Max Launch velocity: Mach 1.3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7D Sparrow III The AAM-N-6a (AIM-7D) was similar to the -6, but used a new Thiokol liquid-fuel rocket engine for improved performance. It also included changes to the guidance electronics to make it effective at higher closing speeds. The -6a was also selected to arm the Air Force's F-110A Spectre (F-4 Phantom) fighters in 1962, known to them as the AIM-101. It entered production in 1959, with 7500 being built. Performance AIM-7D Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3 cm (8 in) Weight: 197 kg (435 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Thiokol MK 6 MOD 3 (LR44-RM-2) liquid-propellant rocket motor Thrust: N/A Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 7.6m (25ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 15 km (8.3 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 44 km (24 NM) Maneuvering capability: 15g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7E Sparrow III In 1963, production switched to the AIM-7E version. It used a new propulsion system, a solid-fueled rocket by Rocketdyne (either a MK 38 or later a MK 52). The new motor again significantly increased range and performance of the missile. Effective range of course depended greatly on firing parameters like launch speed and relative velocity of the target. In head-on attacks under optimal conditions, it could be as high as 35 km (20 nm), while in stern attacks, maximum effective range was more around 5.5 km (3 nm). About 7500 AIM-7D and 25000 AIM-7E missiles were built, and the Sparrow was used heavily in Vietnam by the USAF and the U.S. Navy. The first combat kill was scored on 7 June 1965, when USN F-4B Phantoms shot down 2 MiG-17s. However, the initial combat results were very disappointing. The potentially long range of the AIM-7 could not be used, because unreliable IFF capabilities of the time effectively required visual identification of all targets. Coupled with the high minimum range of the missile of 1500 m (5000 ft) and poor performance against manoeuvering and/or low-flying targets, this led to a kill probability of less than 10%. Therefore, the improved AIM-7E-2 was introduced in 1969 as a "dogfight missile". It had a shorter minimum range, clipped wings for higher manoeuverability, and improved autopilot and fuzing. The AIM-7E-3 had further improved fuzing and higher reliability, and the AIM-7E-4 was specially adapted for use with high-power fighter radars (like the F-14's AN/AWG-9). Despite all problems, more than 50 aircraft were shot down by Sparrow missiles during the Vietnam air war. Performance AIM-7E Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 197 kg (435 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Rocketdyne MK 38/MK 52 solid rocket Thrust: 7600lbs (3447kg) for 2.9 seconds Guidance duration: 75 sec Warhead: 30 kg (65 lb) MK 38 continuous rod with 9kg (20lbs) of PBXN-4 Detonation distance: 9.1m (30ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 25 km (13.5 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 50 km (27 NM) Maneuvering capability: 25g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7F Sparrow In January 1972, Raytheon began development of the vastly improved AIM-7F. It featured a new dual-thrust (boost/sustain) rocket motor (usually a Hercules MK 58, but sometimes an Aerojet MK 65), which greatly increased the missile's range. The AIM-7F also had a completely new solid-state electronic guidance and control system (GCS), designated AN/DSQ-35, which was also compatible with modern pulse-doppler radars. Continued improvement of the GCS resulted in versions from AN/DSQ-35A through -35H (used in the AIM-7F-11). The smaller GCS permitted the use of a larger 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 warhead in the new WAU-10/B warhead section. Production began in 1975, and continued through 1981. With the AIM-7F, the official name of the missile was changed from Sparrow III to plain Sparrow. Performance AIM-7F Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 231 kg (510 lb) Speed: Mach 2.9 Propulsion: Hercules MK 58 dual-thrust solid rocket Thrust: Boost 5750lbs (2608kg) for 4,5 seconds Sustain 1018lbs (461kg) for 11 seconds Guidance duration: 75sec Warhead: 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 continuous rod Detonation distance: 12.2m (40ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 40 km (22 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 98km (53 NM) Maneuvering capability: 25g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7G Sparrow The AIM-7G was a version with a new seeker, developed for the USAF around 1970 for use by the F-111D aircraft. A few YAIM-7G prototype missiles were built, but this version did not enter production. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AIM-7M / P / R Sparrow The next version of the AIM-7 was the AIM-7M, whose main new feature was the new inverse monopulse seeker for look-down/shoot-down capability in a new WGU-6/B (later WGU-23/B) guidance section. There is no evidence of any Sparrow variants officially designated -7J/K/L (although the designation AIM-7J is sometimes associated with the AIM-7E license-built in Japan). Source [2] says that the suffix "M" was deliberately chosen to mean "monopulse", suggesting that suffixes J/K/L were indeed skipped. The monopulse seeker improves missile performance in low-altitude and ECM environments. Other new features of the AIM-7M are a digital computer (with software in EEPROM modules reprogrammable on the ground), an autopilot, and an active fuze. The autopilot enables the AIM-7M to fly optimized trajectories, with target illumination necessary only for mid-course and terminal guidance. The AIM-7M also has a new WDU-27/B blast-fragmentation warhead in a WAU-17/B warhead section. The first firing of a YAIM-7M occured in 1980, and the AIM-7M entered production in 1982. The AIM-7P is similar in most ways to the M versions, and was primarily an upgrade program for existing M-series missiles. The main changes were to the software, improving low-level performance. A follow-on Block II upgrade added a new rear receiver allowing the missile to receive mid-course correction from the launching aircraft. Plans initially called for all M versions to be upgraded, but currently P's are being issued as required to replace M's lost or removed from the inventory. The final version of the missile was to have been the AIM-7R, which added an infrared homing seeker to an otherwise unchanged AIM-7P Block II. A general wind-down of the budget led to it being cancelled in 1997. Performance AIM-7M / P Length: 3.66 m (144 in) Finspan: 1.02 m (40 in) Diameter: 20.3cm (8 in) Weight: 231 kg (510 lb) Speed: Mach 4 Propulsion: Hercules MK 58 dual-thrust solid rocket Thrust: Boost 5750lbs (2608kg) for 4,5 seconds Sustain 1018lbs (461kg) for 11 seconds Guidance duration: 75sec Warhead: 39 kg (86 lb) MK 71 continuous rod Detonation distance: 12.2m (40ft) Guidance type: Semi Active Radar Homing (SARH) Seeker range (200W radar output): 40 km (22 NM) Aerodynamic Range (40kft alt): 98km (53 NM) Maneuvering capability: 30g Max Launch velocity: Mach 2.5 Sources: Text based (and some performance): http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-7.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-7_Sparrow#Sparrow_III Performance sources: http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AAM-N-6_Sparrow_III_SAC_-_30_July_1960.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AIM-7F_Sparrow_III_SMC_-_January_1977.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/AIM-7F_Sparrow_CS_-_January_1976.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/323370.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/335620.pdf https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA142508.pdf https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_old_pdf.cfm?ARC_ID=1098 https://www.forecastinternational.com/archive/disp_pdf.cfm?DACH_RECNO=600 Report on the Air to Air missile system capability review july November 1968 http://www.astronautix.com/s/sparrowaim-7e.html http://alternatewars.com/SAC/F4D-1_Skyray_-_XAAM-N-3_Sparrow_II_MSC_-_1_July_1957.pdf http://alternatewars.com/SAC/F4D-1_Skyray_and_YAAM-N-6_Sparrow_MSC_-_1_July_1957.pdf 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elchacal Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Thanks for the info! [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okopanja Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Very nice article. It would be nice to publish a comment on each future significant update you make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobel Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 Very cool! but here you have not posted it first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iron_physik Posted May 20, 2023 Author Share Posted May 20, 2023 11 hours ago, Hobel said: Very cool! but here you have not posted it first yes, I ported it over from the WT forums after their continuing disrespect towards the forum community. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-2 Posted May 22, 2023 Share Posted May 22, 2023 AIM-7R was prototyped and tested but never employed. Its seeker became the ESSM seeker. Supposedly the IT seeker was AIM-9m equivalent but a third the size. their was a mysterious AIM-7N which was said to be a AIM-7F upgrade for F-15 MSIP produced in limited quantities. I can’t find much of anything on it. AIM-7Q was an Active/Semi Active/IR missile that predated AIM-7R. There isn’t much on it but I strongly suspect it was the AMRAAM fall back mentioned in some GAO reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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