The U.S. Air Pressure and Raytheon Missiles & Protection, a Raytheon Applied sciences enterprise, efficiently performed the primary AMRAAM® F3R, an AIM-120 D3 missile, live-fire check in opposition to a goal. The check used manufacturing missile {hardware} developed below the AMRAAM Kind, Match, Perform Refresh program, which updates each the missile’s {hardware} and software program. The AIM-120D3 combines System Enchancment Program 3F software program updates with F3R {hardware}, placing great functionality in opposition to superior threats into the warfighter’s arsenal. In the course of the June 30, 2022 check, the missile was fired from an F-15E Strike Eagle and guided towards an aerial goal at lengthy vary.

“Our warfighters need to have probably the most superior know-how within the air after they want it. F3R upgrades a number of circuit playing cards to deal with obsolescence, enhances the weapon’s capabilities, and extends the manufacturing line for the U.S. Air Pressure, the U.S. Navy, and our Allied companions,” mentioned Paul Ferraro, president of Air Energy at Raytheon Missiles & Protection.

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A upkeep help contractor checks the AIM-120D3 connected to an F-15E Strike Eagle because it prepares for a live-fire mission at Eglin Air Pressure Base, Fla., June 30, 2022. Within the months previous the live-fire execution, the Built-in Check crew performed a number of captive carry check missions with AIM-120D Instrumented Check Autos to gather knowledge and make sure the new missile {hardware} and software program would operate accurately on the day of the live-fire. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by 1st Lindsey Heflin)

The first goal was to show out sub-system integration to help all phases of guided flight. The check additionally demonstrated full system integration and efficiency. The stay hearth was the primary of 5 deliberate missile pictures in an built-in check collection for the AIM-120D3 to qualify the brand new configuration for manufacturing and fielding. These assessments incorporate numerous situations and targets to show out the weapon’s superior performance and capabilities. An extra stay hearth for the Overseas Army Gross sales AIM-120C8 variant will happen within the close to future. These live-fire assessments are the fruits of captive flight assessments, workup flights, and simulations.

Underneath the F3R program, engineers used model-based programs engineering initiatives and different digital applied sciences to improve a number of circuit playing cards and {hardware} into the steerage part of the missile and to re-host legacy software program within the AIM-120D3 and AIM-120C8 AMRAAMs. Over the previous 12 months, F3R software program was merged with SIP 3F superior software program capabilities to speed up the fielding of this mixed improve to the warfighter. Mixed with software program upgrades, AIM-120D-3 will ship superior capabilities to enhance missile effectiveness in opposition to superior threats for Air Pressure, Navy, and Allied Companions.

US Air Force and Raytheon Execute First Live-fire Test of AMRAAM F3R (AIM-120D3)
An F-15E Strike Eagle taxis in preparation for a live-fire mission the place the crew will launch an AIM-120D3 utilizing manufacturing missile {hardware} developed below the AMRAAM Kind, Match, Perform Refresh program. Executed by the twenty eighth Check and Analysis Squadron and eighty fifth TES, the core goal of the check was to execute a long-range shot that bodily harassed the brand new missile {hardware} and verified no adjustments to the missile kinematic or goal intercept capabilities. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by 1st Lindsey Heflin)