Lets make it easier for everyone to understand.
The following extracts are from AMRAAM's performance review.
<Document Start>
5.1 Scenario 1 - Estimated real world scenario
The missile is travelling at Mach 0.83 and 6km above sea level. It launches and accelerates forwards
for 1s before it begins a 15o climb, levelling off at 13km ASL (Above Sea Level). It maintained this
ballistic trajectory before angling itself down to intercept at target point at 6km ASL with a missile
speed of Mach 0.9.
See Figure 28.
Below Points about the first scenario
- The missile at a 15o climb was unable to level off at 13km ASL in the simulation. Instead it chose 14km ASL as the most energy efficient levelling altitude for this angle.
- It required 21o dive in order to make the intercept altitude and speed.
- It made this intercept at a range of 60km. This is much further than the comparable 5000m ASL straight line shot (~35km effective range).
ELABORATION: Missile launches at 6 km above sea level. Climbs up to 14 km above sea level. Then intercepts the target at 6 km above sea level.
5.2 Scenario 2 - Estimated maximum possible performance
Using what was learnt above, the next test examined the maximum possible range of the missile in
realistic scenarios at missile parameter limits. The missile was launched at 13km at Mach 1.5 and
began its climb to 22km. It maintains this altitude before descending at angle that causes an
intersection at 6km at Mach 0.9
See Figure 29 below
Point about the second scenario
- The ascent angle is still relatively low.
- It demonstrates that the theoretical maximum realistic range of the missile on a stationary point is approximately 90km.
ELABORATION: Missile launches at 13 km above sea level. Climbs up to 22 km above sea level. Then intercepts the target at 6 km above sea level.
5.3 Scenario 3 - Estimated low altitude performance
As a stark contrast, a similar scenario was attempted at 500m. The launch velocity was Mach 1.1 and
the missile climbed to 6km before starting its descent; intercepting a point at 500m with Mach 0.9
remaining velocity.
See Figure 30 below
Points about the third scenario
- It was unobtainable. The missile could not climb up to 6km fast enough and then dive back down in order to hit the target point without being less energy efficient than flying straight.
- Instead the loft altitude was ignored and the target parameters were all that were considered.
- As a result the missile climbed up to ~11km ASL before descending back down onto the target.
- The missile fired at low altitudes against a stationary point has a range of ~ 45km
ELABORATION: Missile launches at 0.5 km above sea level. Climbs up to 6 km above sea level. Then intercepts the target at 0.5 km above sea level.
If anyone requires this document then I think there are plenty of other sources on the internet. Or you guys can always ask around. Google is your bestfriend.
Please feel free to ask questions.
Please refer to my last posts. These images don't show us the complete fight trajectory. I never said the missile hits the cockpit from above.
