What is the difference between AIM-9 p and AIM-9 j?

[Skyracer]

I am kinda confused, they appear to be the same missile. Which one is the best?

[PhantomHans]

They're very similar missiles. 

The 9J was the improved version of the 9E.  Entered production in 1972.

AIM-9N was originally the J-1, has some redesigned circuit boards for better seeker performance.  Dates to 1973.

The 9P is an improvement over the 9N, but was sponsored by the USAF mainly for export sale.  It seems that some found their way into USAF service anyway. 

The 9P base model is a 9N with a bit more range, deliveries starting 1978.
(I previously called it a 9J with more range but I suppose it's actually a J-1 aka N derivative)

P-1 had a new fuze, P-2 a lower smoke motor, P-3 improved lots of small things like construction, strength, reliability, etc.  P-4 added the 9L's all aspect seeker technology and P-5 added improved countermeasures resistance.  No idea when each came into service.

 

 

TLDR:

9E -> 9J -> 9N -> 9P -> 9P-3 -> 9P-5, P-5 is all aspect.
P-1,P-2,P-4 not yet in game AFAIK.

Each is better than the last but a 9L or 9M is better than a P-5.

Edited May 25, 2024 by PhantomHans

[The_Tau]

There is also AIM-9Juli which is German modification by Diehl BGT for Spain

 

Its a 90s upgrade offered by a German contractor for European customers of old rear aspect AIM-9J/N/P stock. They upgraded the seeker to the 9L(I) which is all aspect with improved CCM. Spain was the only customer. Others chose the AIM-9P-4/P-5 upgrade

[Mig Fulcrum]

Il 07/06/2024 at 17:27, The_Tau ha scritto:

There is also AIM-9Juli which is German modification by Diehl BGT for Spain

 

Its a 90s upgrade offered by a German contractor for European customers of old rear aspect AIM-9J/N/P stock. They upgraded the seeker to the 9L(I) which is all aspect with improved CCM. Spain was the only customer. Others chose the AIM-9P-4/P-5 upgrade

Do you have the source about that? I was searching about the date of service of the Juli but I didn't find anything

[The_Tau]

13 minutes ago, Mig Fulcrum said:

Do you have the source about that? I was searching about the date of service of the Juli but I didn't find anything

nope. docs are pretty sparse. Maybe more in Spanish or German? Only thing i found it mentioning them is article about south African aggressor role claiming F1M with those missiles is from 1995. Pretty weak imo

[Mig Fulcrum]

25 minuti fa, The_Tau ha scritto:

nope. docs are pretty sparse. Maybe more in Spanish or German? Only thing i found it mentioning them is article about south African aggressor role claiming F1M with those missiles is from 1995. Pretty weak imo

The only thing I found was a single phrase. It said the Juli enetered in service between Lima and Mike, so before 1983/84.

But pretty weak too

[draconus]

https://ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html

[The_Tau]

1 hour ago, draconus said:

https://ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewinder-94.html

its different sidewinder. we talk about Juli (full aspect) not Juliet (rear aspect)

[draconus]

17 minutes ago, The_Tau said:

its different sidewinder. we talk about Juli (full aspect) not Juliet (rear aspect)

This was general Sidewinder history as per thread topic, I have not replied to you about that german one.

[Silver_Dragon]

More info:
https://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-9.html

[ustio]

Ingame they are almost identical. The P has a slight advantage over the J on the aspect angle (120° vs 103°). Personally it never bothers me since i never fire close to firing envelope always way within.

[Temetre]

Btw if you havent seen it, the Heatblur F4 manual got a ton of information about the Aim9 variants and their capabilities.

null