MBDA ASRAAM
February 5th, 2007 | 
Author: Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile
SHORT-RANGE AIR SUPERIORITY
REDEFINES WITHIN VISUAL RANGE COMBAT : First Shot, First Intercept, First Kill
ASRAAM is the most capable next generation air-to-air missile dedicated to within visual range combat and provides the pilot with a range of options not available with any other short range missile.
Operational requirement
In modern short-range air combat, the pilot needs the capability to strike first. When he engages a hostile target, he needs a missile that reacts faster than ever. The missile’s speed and agility must guarantee that the pilot will be provided with the maximum killing power, whatever the enemy’s avoidance manoeuvres or the extent of the countermeasures he deploys.
The MBDA solution
ASRAAM is capable of engaging any airborne target within the pilot’s visual range of acquisition, as well as targets beyond this visual range.
ASRAAM receives the target’s position coordinates via the carrier aircraft’s airborne sensors or the pilot’s helmet-mounted sight. The missile can also operate as a stand-alone infrared search and track.
ASRAAM’s high speed combined with the most accurate thermal imaging guidance system and highly effective lethal mechanism, ensure the highest kill probability against any target.
ASRAAM has been designed to be compatible with all aircraft capable of launching Sidewinder or AMRAAM, enabling cost effective conversion to ASRAAM operations.
ASRAAM fire power is available without any need for additional training of pilots or ground crew. Missile loading sequences are identical to those for Sidewinder. A pilot firing ASRAAM for the first time will be familiar with the switches, audio tones and firing sequence.
MAIN FEATURES and ADVANTAGES
Launch
Instantaneous cueing from radar or helmet sight
All round target designation
Full acquisition anywhere in the forward hemisphere
Instant response to trigger - ASRAAM gets the first shot
Intercept
Highest speed
Unrivalled aerodynamic agility
Accurate and predictive tracking - ASRAAM gets the first intercept
Destroy
Outstanding resistance to countermeasures
Tracking right up to impact
Full agility even in the end game - ASRAAM gets the first kill
ASRAAM has next generation technology
Cooling system
The seeker detector cooling accepts argon, nitrogen or air supplies for maximum operational flexibility.
Inertial sensor
3 axis fibre optic gyro and solid-state accelerometers provide increased reliability and faster missile launch.
Electronic Power Unit
The powerful computer performs millions of image processing and flight control computations a second.
Fuzes
Impact and laser proximity fuzes maximise lethality against both large and small targets.
Warhead
High lethality blast fragmentation.
Rocket motor
The low signature motor provides outstanding acceleration and range offering the quickest intercept.
Actuation system
Compact high torque proven technology.
Status of programme
ASRAAM is in service with the RAF, and has already been deployed operationally.
ASRAAM entered service with the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) F/A-18 Hornet aircraft in August 2004. The Hornet is the first American-built fighter to be equipped with a European air-to-air missile.
The ASRAAM system concept and design engineering allows for significant growth potential to the missile’s capability throughout its life, not only on the Tornado, Typhoon and F/A-18 but also for the future F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
Video MBDA ASRAAM
Posted in Weapons