VX-31 F/A-18 Destroys Target with New AIM-120D Variant during White Sands Test

3/27/2008 - WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, NM -- A Raytheon Company AIM-120D Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile successfully destroyed its target Feb. 13 in a test engagement of the newest variant of the combat-proven missile.

The AIM-120D AMRAAM was fired by a U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter aircraft from the Navy's VX-31 squadron against a QF-4 target drone. The missile guided to a direct hit, destroying the drone and meeting all primary test objectives.

"By putting the AIM-120 through these rigorous tests, the U.S. government and Raytheon are ensuring the warfighter receives a state-of-the art weapon system unparalleled in performance and reliability," said Brock McCaman, vice president of Raytheon Missile Systems' Air-to-Air product line.

The AMRAAM missile has been developed through the combined efforts of the U.S. Air Force's Air Armament Center, the U.S. Navy, and Raytheon. The AIM- 120D is currently in the system design and development phase.

"The AIM-120D builds on the combat proven AMRAAM by adding an enhanced electronic protection suite, two-way data link, and GPS-aided navigation," said Judy Stokley, U.S. Air Force deputy program executive officer for Weapons. "When the missile reaches initial operating capability, our warfighters will have a beyond visual range missile with unparalleled capability in our quest for air dominance."

Source: Raytheon Press Release