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In Detail ——  IMP – the CF18 Incremental Modernization Program ——

by Allan Ng M.Eng., P.Eng.

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Canadian Defence Procurement  –  December 2003 The CF18 Incremental Modernization Program  –  In Detail Allan Ng reviews DND's CF18 fighter aircraft modernization plan  (Part 5) Follow-Ons to the Engineering Change Proposal 583 AIM-120  AMRAAM  —  the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile [1] The first weapon system to be procured as a follow-on element to ECP 583 will be the AIM-120 AMRAAM  (the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile).  The AIM-120 AMRAAM (aka the SLAMMER in US slang)  is the most sophisticated, combat-proven, medium-range air-to-air missile  (AAM)  in the western arsenal. [ Ed: also see US Foreign Military Sales Notice for the AIM-120C AMRAAM.] Out with the Old  —  the AIM-7 The  AMRAAM  is also the first medium– ranged AAM to provide a fire-and-forget capability.  One of the greatest criticisms of the currently-serving  AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range AAM is that the launching aircraft must continue to fly towards the intended target  (the launch aircraft must constantly 'illuminate' a target with radar until the Sparrow AAM intercepts). This unfortunate characteristic tends to nullify much of the advantage of the medium- range AAM. Because the launch aircraft is forced to fly much closer to its target than the Sparrow's range suggests, it becomes conceivable that targeted aircraft could retaliate with short-range, infrared-guided missiles before being destroyed. The SLAMMER Advantage The AIM-120 overcomes this tactical disadvantage.  Before launching an AMRAAM, target data is downloaded — via the MIL-STD-1760 link — to the AIM-120's memory. After the AIM-120 is launched, the firing aircraft continues to track the target so that it can provide a mid-course target update to the missile.  As it closes on its target, the AIM-120's own active radar takes over providing all guidance information until the target is intercepted. Increasing the AAM's post-launch independance has several advantages.  First, full tactical use is made of a missile's range.  Second, freed from the need to track the target until interception, the launching aircraft can manoeuvre, taking evasive action for example. Launching aircraft can also move on to further victims  –  the combined capabilities of the APG-73 radar and the AIM-120 now make it possible for an upgraded Hornet to engage multiple enemy targets simultaneously. This new ability was demonstrated in a successful one-versus-four simultaneous engagement using four AMRAAM missiles in May of 1990. More importantly, the AIM-120 has been employed successfully in air combat over Iraq and the Balkans (Bosnia and Kosovo).  In the spring of 2003,  DND announced that it will procure the AIM-120C AMRAAM for the CF18.  The first deliveries of  CF AIM-120Cs are expected in mid 2004. The AMRAAM will provide the CF18 with a dramatic gain in medium range air-to-air capability, putting the CF on-par with any other air force.