The AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) is a cutting-edge missile system capable of engaging targets beyond visual range. It also possesses capabilities similar to surface-to-air missiles (SAMs). Developed by Raytheon Technologies, a prominent U.S. defense company, this missile plays a critical role in modern aerial combat by targeting and neutralizing enemy aircraft from extended distances.
Key Features of AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM
This missile is compatible with a variety of fighter jets, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, and the latest fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35. Under ideal launch conditions, the missile can strike targets over 160 kilometers away. It measures about 12 feet in length, has a diameter of roughly seven inches, and weighs approximately 356 pounds. Propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor, it can reach speeds greater than Mach 4—around 3,000 miles per hour.
The AIM-120C-8 employs a combination of inertial navigation, GPS correction, and active radar for guidance. This allows it to function autonomously once launched—a capability often referred to as “fire-and-forget.” Additionally, the missile features a two-way data link that provides real-time trajectory updates, improving its precision against agile targets.
Its advanced radar seeker is designed to detect aircraft with minimal radar visibility, such as stealth fighters, while its electronic counter-countermeasures enable it to resist jamming. Armed with an 18.1-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead and a proximity fuse, it is engineered for optimal effectiveness against both manned and unmanned aerial threats. The missile is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously, even in environments with heavy electronic interference.