The AIM-120 AMRAAM Air to Air Missile

The AIM -120 is an advanced medium range air to air missile which is also known as an BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile. The Air Force has given it the additional name of the Slammer.
This missile can be used day or night in any kind of weather which is a huge benefit. It is the latest evolution of the AIM-7 Sparrow which was developed by the US Navy in the 1950's. The Sparrow was the top dog in its day and it just continued to get better with time.
The AIM-120 is used by both the US and its allies. One aircraft can fire several of these missiles at once with each being programmed to attack different targets. This enables the aircrew who fired the missile to do whatever else that they need to do rather than stay there to guide the missile to contact.
Once the missile reaches a certain point its own radar takes over to locate its target and fly the missile to it. The AIM-120 has both active and passive homing radar. This means that it can send out its own radar signals to home in on the aircraft or it can detect signals coming from its target.
This is only one sophisticated weapon that we use in our modern Armed Forces. I can't help but be impressed as I do the research to post information for this blog. I can't imagine how we could make most of this technology any better than what it is. I also understand why the men and women who handle this technology will often feature it on the custom military rings that they wear.