Ukrainian sea drones use AIM‑9 missiles to down Russian jets
Magura anti-aircraft naval drones have been around for a while, but a recent historic event saw the shooting down of two Russian Su-30 aircraft using American AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, which are also utilized by Polish F-16s. Let’s take a closer look at their performance.
Ukrainians are increasingly using naval drones to disrupt the movement of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which is currently stationed in Novorossiysk. Additionally, Ukrainians deploy naval drones as miniature aircraft carriers to target Russian anti-aircraft defense systems positioned along the shores of Crimea.
Meanwhile, the Russians, aiming to protect their ships, have been using aviation to hunt these drones. Initially, helicopters were employed for this task, but after losing several units, they switched to multirole aircraft. These aircraft, in theory, should be impervious to anti-aircraft drones due to their high altitude capability and use of, for example, laser-guided missiles.
However, for reasons not entirely clear, the Russian pilots of the Su-30 planes chose to attack the drones using cannons or unguided missiles, which proved catastrophic. Two planes were brought down by a drone equipped with American AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, likely in the older L or M versions. These missiles, widely available within NATO, serve as a good alternative to the previously used Vympel R-73.
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles — short-range weapon of most NATO air forces
The AIM-9 Sidewinder series missiles have been the mainstay armament of NATO aircraft since the 1950s. Currently, the NATO air forces employ AIM-9L or M missiles from the late 1970s and 1980s, alongside the newer AIM-9X models manufactured since 2015.
The AIM-9X version is easily recognizable from the older versions due to the presence of small canards at the front and short fins at the rear of the missile. Ukraine received both older versions, which are best used in "combat scrapping," and newer AIM-9X units likely reserved for F-16 aircraft and the NASAMS system.
AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles - passive guidance system
These missiles are characterized by a short range, just over 19 miles for the newer variants at high altitude or about 6 miles when launched from land or water. They are equipped with an infrared homing system that features an IR seeker head, and in the latest variants, a fourth-generation (IIR) design that can detect the thermal image of the target. However, as demonstrated, even the older models are effective in downing Russian planes.
This passive homing method is different from the active radar seeker of AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles and allows them to target stealth aircraft while being resistant to flares.
A fragmentation warhead weighing about 22 pounds is used to destroy targets, providing sufficient force to damage or destroy a plane or helicopter significantly. Compared to earlier variants, the AIM-9X Block II version has improved durability and a modified control surface design, along with thrust vectoring, which significantly enhances its maneuverability at short range while the rocket motor remains active.
