AMRAAM Missiles Delivered
Thanks to a modern weapons system, the Czech Armed Forces Air Force combat value has increased significantly.
The Czech Air Force already has AMRAAM. At the end of 2007, i.e. three years after the decision was taken on their acquisition, a total of 24 mid-range AIM-120 C-5 guided missiles was delivered to the Czech Republic. In this way another major step in the modernisation of increase of operational capabilities of the supersonic JAS-39 Gripen aircraft was completed.
Text: Tomáš SOUŠEK
Photos: author, SAAB and Raytheon
In the beginning, let’s return to the very start of the mid-range guided missile project, which covers the period of the acquisition of the new supersonic aircraft. The very fast introduction of JAS-39C Gripen fighter jets into the arsenal followed primarily from the acute need to secure the airspace of the Czech Republic after the service life of the old MiGs definitively comes to an end. In an attempt for maximum timesavings, the Gripens were supplied with the type of equipment which enabled the fulfilment of this task. The capabilities of JAS-39C aircraft, however, are several times greater and the Czech Air Force is already starting to make use of them. During the course of last year, all 14 machines underwent modernisation in Sweden, thanks to which they can make use of features such as modern data connections or an electronic warfare system.
An important part of modernisation was also equipping with the anti-aircraft AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM guided missile. At the start of service in the Czech Republic, Gripens were equipped only with a turret gun and AIM-9M Sidewinder short-range missiles. Although these are very modern missiles, their use can be influenced by factors such as fog or direct sunlight due to the manner in which they are guided. The Sidewinder, however, is designed for close, air battle manoeuvres.
Therefore, already in 2004 it was decided to purchase a guided missile of a higher category.
The main requirement was the Fire and Forget guiding system, which would enable combating multiple air targets beyond visual range (BVR), as well as use under heavy weather conditions, at night and with superelevation against the background of the earth’s surface.
The entire contract worth CZK 750 million was implemented within the framework of the FMS (Foreign Military Sale) program. The contract to supply the missiles and ensure their logistic support was signed on 6 April, 2005. Since brand new missiles were ordered, it was necessary to wait a certain time until they are manufactured and delivered. In the meantime, the Gripens were prepared for the new weaponry. The first material which arrived in the Czech Republic was various jigs, tools, controlling and measuring devices, and spare parts. Their cataloging was started immediately. Some parameters had to be verified in accordance with the Czech national standards. Twenty-four AIM-120 C-5 missiles and two CATM-120C training missiles were delivered in November 2007. They were placed in an ordnance depot with a view to transporting the defined number to the Čáslav air base shortly.
As far as the manner of operating the new missiles is concerned, it should be very simple. “AMRAAM is a highly reliable system which does not require extensive maintenance. Therefore, in addition to locking the missiles on the aircraft, the ground personnel will take care particularly of their correct attachment and will perform visual condition checks,” says the manager of the entire project, Lt. Col. Roman Harenčák. Armorers have at their disposal the basic inspection kit that they can use to actuate the missile internal self-test and thus detect possible defects.
However, they are not allowed to disassemble the missile into individual sections and make major interventions inside. Should there be any serious defect, it will be necessary to resolve it with the manufacturer and probably send the missile back to the manufacturing plant in the United States. The contract stipulates that the first two repairs are covered by Raytheon, any other possible repairs will be paid from the Army’s own funds. According to Lt. Col. Harenčák, the purchase of own equipment necessary for this purpose would be too expensive in proportion to the number of missiles procured. Given the reliability of AIM-120 C-5 missiles, this should not be needed. The manufacturer provides a warranty for the first ten years and in the following period evaluates the condition and service life of the individual components. The latest operating data show that the service life of AMRAAMs should be over 25 years. Just for the sake of interest – unlike a number of other weapons systems, these missiles do not require evaluation of the number of flight hours under the aircraft wing.
While the pilots have already gone through basic BVR-missile training on a Swedish tactical simulator, the ground crew will be trained this February. Training should also be organized for instructors from Vyškov and Brno who should subsequently provide training to the air base personnel. Another important step will be army tests to evaluate operability of the entire weapons system and to slightly adjust certain standards to comply with both the manufacturer’s requirements and the Czech regulations. “Having completed the army tests, the missiles will be officially introduced in the weaponry. The initial operating capabilities are expected to be achieved this June or July. We believe that we will achieve the full operating capability on 1 January, 2009, according to plan,” says Lt. Col. Roman Harenčák.
The number of 24 medium-range missiles was evaluated as a minimum to cover the needs of the Armed Forces in times of peace. This is a single unit of fire comprising two missiles for each single-pilot JAS-39C aircraft. The Gripens integrated in the NATINADS emergency system are currently expected to be equipped with a pair of AMRAAMs in addition to a cannon and Sidewinder missiles. A final decision on the manner of their use will be made only after gaining experience from missile operation and personnel training, i.e. sometime at the end of this year.
Given the fact that the price of one AIM-120 C-5 missile exceeds USD 600,000, no practice fire using live missiles can be expected, unlike smaller Sidewinders. Therefore, much more emphasis will have to be placed on good-quality training using the state-of-the-art simulation technology. Nevertheless, the Czech Republic is already today a member of the prestigious club of AMRAAM users.
Text Box
And the facts...
Weapons system parameters
AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM
Manufacturer: Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Co.
Power plant: high-performance controlled pulse rocket engine with reduced smoke emission and high acceleration for medium-range air-to-air combat
Total guided missile length: 366 cm
Weight: 161.5 kg
Missile body diameter: 17.78 cm
Wing span: 44.7 cm
Speed: supersonic, Mach 4
Guidance system: Active doppler radar terminal / inertial midcourse
Control system: Actuator-operated wings at the end for improved manoeuvrability at short distances
Warhead: 20.5kg fragmentation, high explosive
Introduction: September 1991 (AIM-120A version)
Upper right photo description:
A training version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM guided missile mounted on a Belgian F-16. Also locked under the wing are a smaller AIM-9 Sidewinder missile and a GBU-12 “Paveway II” guided bomb.
A Report _3 pages 8-9