As the mysteries surrounding the balloon and three unidentified objects shot down by US forces in recent days continue, at least one thing is clear. It’s the weapon used to shoot down.
The balloon that crashed off the coast of South Carolina, which the US claims was used for Chinese reconnaissance, and the unidentified objects that fell over Alaska, Michigan, and Canada are all the same type, the AIM-9X Sidewinder. destroyed by missiles.
A sailor removes an AIM-9X Sidewinder from an F/A-18F “Super Hornet” fighter-attack aircraft on the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan.
Photographer: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Burke/U.S. Navy
What is the manufacturer and what is it used for?
The missile, manufactured by Raytheon Technologies, is one of a broader class of weapons that has existed in the U.S. arsenal for decades. Manufactured primarily for the U.S. military, it is also sold in large quantities to U.S. allies. Raytheon said it has 31 foreign sales partners, including South Korea, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia.
Primarily conceived as an air-to-air weapon, the modern AIM-9X can also be used from the ground and against ground targets. It can be widely installed in the latest aircraft such as F16 and F22 fighters.This versatility allows the F22 fighter toFirst air-to-air shot downand set a new record. The U.S. has not released an exact number of such missiles, but with the Air Force receiving its 10,000th missile in 2021, that number is likely to be substantial.
What is the cost?
The Pentagon is aiming to procure 255 of the missiles for $111.9 million (about ¥14.8 billion) in fiscal 2023. That translates to a cost of $439,000 per unit. But in addition to the steep discounts, other countries usually have to pay for the associated equipment, parts and training. For example, Malaysia attempted to procure an estimated 20 AIM-9X-2 missiles for $52 million in 2011, which included such secondary costs.
How does it work?
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is an infrared-seeking, supersonic, short-range missile consisting of an infrared-seeking guidance unit, an optical fuze, a warhead, and a rocket motor. In particular, the infrared tracking guidance part can be aimed at the target with various settings at any time of the day. It weighs 186 pounds (84 kilograms), uses solid fuel, and is 9.9 feet (3 meters) long.
What is its history?
The Sidewinder is a missile with a long history in the US military. First deployed by the U.S. Navy in the 1950s and later adopted by the U.S. Air Force, it became the first operational infrared-seeking guided missile. Early versions could only be used at very close range and could not be deployed at night. However, later modifications made it more adaptable, and later versions were used in the Vietnam War. The 9X is the latest version of the Sidewinder, which began to be deployed in 2003. However, defense officials acknowledge that it has never been used against an unidentified flying object such as a balloon.North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and Commander General Van Haak of the U.S. Northern Command on February 6.reportersThe U.S. military concluded that the AIM-9X has a smaller warhead and shorter range than missiles like the AIM-120, making it safer and more effective to deploy.
US plane shoots down suspected Chinese reconnaissance balloon off South Carolina
Source: Bloomberg
Original title:The $439,000 Missiles the US Is Using to Shoot Down Mystery UFOs (Correct)(excerpt)