TYPE | Research & Development |
COUNTRY | Italy |
PROJECT | AAM-2 "Bastard Sword" |
PROJECT COST | 1,000,000,000.00 |
COMPLETION DATE | 06/02/2020 |
PROJECT INFORMATION | Weight: 180 kg Length: 3.62 m Diameter: 0.174 m Warhead: High explosive blast-fragmentation Engine: Ducted rocket Operational Range: At least 160 km Speed: Mach 4 Guidance System: Inertial Guidance, mid-course update/retargeting through datalink, terminal active radar homing The AAM-2 Bastard Sword is a domestically-produced Roman beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) designed to take out enemy targets from longer distances and with greater accuracy than its predecessors, namely the foreign-produced AIM-120 AMRAAM. Its ducted ramjet engines, as well as its aerodynamic design, makes its maximum speed of Mach 4 and range of 160 kilometers possible. It is equipped with Jet-Vane TVC to provide excellent maneuverability, allowing it to maintain pursuit of highly maneuverable targets. The AAM-2 Bastard Sword uses a multi-function active radar homing seeker, enabling the missile to be launched in an active "fire-and-forget" mode, making a 'hit n' run' tactic possible. Advancements in datalink technology have made the missile possible for mid-course updates and even retargeting, receiving feedback from friendly forces via datalink. Once the target is within 25 km from the missile, the missile turns into active radar homing, finally striking the target with a high-explosive blast-fragmentation warhead. Considering the possibilities of a target breaking lock from the missile, its host radar system maintains computed target information in case the target breaks the missile's lock-on. |
PRIVATE / ENCRYPTED | Yes |