AIM-160 SACM
The AIM-160 Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM), occasionally referred to as the CUDA (expansion unknown) or Cuda,[1] is a United States Air Force concept for a "next-generation," medium-range, relatively compact air-to-air missile. Unlike most air-to-air missiles, the CUDA uses "hit-to-kill" technology instead of an explosive warhead, allowing it to save weight by removing the relatively heavy explosive warhead. Designed to include a reduced size while maintaining the range of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the CUDA seeks to replace the AIM-120's role, while allowing for more to be carried in the weapons bay of modern 5th generation fighter weapons bay, such as in the F-35 and F-22. CUDA also reportedly uses a unique system of propulsive bursts around its airframe, allowing for supposed increased maneuverabilty, which could increase the probability of killing the target.[2]
The CUDA was displayed in a photo in the November 2012 issue of the U.S. Air Force Magazine, with the caption 'A Lockheed Martin model shows how its "’Cuda" concept for a small AMRAAM-class radar guided dogfight missile could triple the air-to-air internal loadout on an F-35. The missile is about the size of a Small Diameter Bomb and fits on an SDB-style rack',[3] and was officially revealed in January and February 2017, during a presentation and an interview by FlightGlobal with General Herbert Carlisle of the USAF.[citation needed]
The missile is under development by Lockheed Martin, and began evaluation by the Air Force Research Laboratory in 2019.[4]
See also
[edit]- Long-Range Engagement Weapon – (United States)
- AIM-260 JATM – (United States)
- PL-15 – (China)
- PL-21 – (China)
- Meteor – (France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden)
- FMRAAM – (United States)
- R-77 – (Russia)
- R-37 – (Russia)
- Astra Mk III – (India)
- AIM-152 AAAM – (United States)
References
[edit]- ^ "Raytheon unveils medium-range air-to-air missile project". SD Quebec. SD Quebec. Archived from the original on 2025-01-22. Retrieved 2025-01-12.
- ^ "Fifth-Generation Weapons". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
- ^ Cenciotti, David (2012-11-30). "New (still quite secret) Hit-to-Kill missile for the F-35 unveiled: the Lockheed Martin "Cuda"". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
- ^ "Fifth-Generation Weapons". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-26.