AIN‑9x sidewinders confirmed in Ukraine: A game changer
A crate with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles has surfaced online somewhere in Ukraine. This confirms the delivery of the latest version of the AIM-9X. Here, we present the performance of this missile.
The photo below shows a transport crate containing a pair of short-range air-to-air AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which are used in Ukraine not only by F-16 aircraft but also by surface-to-air missile systems such as NASAMS.
It's worth noting that this is the first definite confirmation that Ukraine has received the AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles in their latest version. Unlike earlier ones, this version features small canards at the front of the missile and short tail fins at the rear. Below is a photo showing the appearance of older versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles — the most common missiles in NATO aviation
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles have been the standard short-range armament for most NATO aircraft since the 1950s. However, the AIM-9X variant, produced only since 2003, represents an advancement over the older AIM-9L/M missiles. It retains only the rocket engine and a warhead weighing about 22 pounds.
The rest of the missile underwent significant changes, starting with a redesigned body offering greater durability and improved aerodynamics and culminating in a new guidance head. This head is a fourth-generation construction that operates in infrared and perceives the thermal image of the target, hence the designation IIR (imaging infrared).
Unlike older solutions, it can target the heated fuselage of an aircraft, not just the heat point of an engine. It is also resistant to countermeasures like flares. Essentially, the only form of protection against this missile is to outmaneuver it (nearly impossible) or blind its head with a laser beam, a feat achievable by very few defense systems.
The range depends on the version; block I can achieve a range above 10 miles, while block II, produced since 2015, is estimated to have a range of about 19 miles. It is also noteworthy that the block II version includes a communication link, allowing, for instance, target confirmation after a missile launch or switching to another target during flight.
The above range values apply to launches from aircraft at high altitudes. When launched from the ground, the range will be significantly lower (below 12 miles) as denser air causes more drag and faster energy loss. These are the best missiles of their kind that Ukraine currently possesses.
