On Wed, 17 Sep 2003 21:14:00 -0400, "Paul Austin"
wrote:


"Scott Ferrin" wrote
(phil hunt) wrote:

On Mon, 15 Sep 2003 19:46:49 -0600, Scott Ferrin
wrote:

I remember reading that the kinematics of the -9X are much better
than
previous Sidewinders and that it's range is significantly higher
as a
result.

That sounds very plausible.

Unfortunately, the USAF specified that the AIM-9X use the same motor,
warhead and fuze at the current AIM-9M with TVC added to roughly the
same planform. I don't expect much different kinematics in the AIM-9X.

It's been WIDELY reported that the -9X is significantly better. For
one thing you don't have those huge tail fins and canards (drag and
weight) nor those rollerons (mroe drag and weight). I don't know how
tail control compares to canard control as far as efficiency goes but
judging by the fact that one of the advantages touted of AMRAAM over
Sparrow and 9X over 9M,L, etc. was that they WERE tail controlled,
would seem to indicate an advantage. Come to think of it I've seen
the same advantage mentioned in regards to ESSM over -7.