Editing AIM-120 AMRAAM (section)

===AIM-120D===
AIM-120D is an upgraded version of the AMRAAM with improvements in almost all areas, including 50% greater range (than the already-extended range AIM-120C-7) and better guidance over its entire flight envelope yielding an improved kill probability ([[Probability of kill|P<sub>k</sub>]]). Initial production began in 2006 under the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase of program testing and ceased in September 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AeroWeb {{!}} AIM-120 AMRAAM |url=http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/Defense/AMRAAM.html |access-date=2023-07-17 |website=AeroWeb |archive-date=July 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230717154735/http://www.fi-aeroweb.com/Defense/AMRAAM.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Raytheon began testing the D model on August 5, 2008, the company reported that an AIM-120D launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet passed within lethal distance of a QF-4 target drone at the [[White Sands Missile Range]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=149999&TICK=RTN&STORY=/www/story/08-05-2008/0004861926&EDATE=Aug+5,+2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102095547/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=149999&TICK=RTN&STORY=%2Fwww%2Fstory%2F08-05-2008%2F0004861926&EDATE=Aug+5%2C+2008|url-status=dead|title=Raytheon Press Release, 5 August 2008|archive-date=November 2, 2008}}</ref> The range of the AIM-120D is classified, but is thought to extend to about {{convert|100|miles|km}} or potentially up to {{convert|112|miles|km}}.<ref name="flightglobal.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/new-long-range-missile-project-emerges-in-us-budget-442816/|title=New long-range missile project emerges in US budget|date=November 2, 2017|access-date=November 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126120146/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/new-long-range-missile-project-emerges-in-us-budget-442816/|archive-date=November 26, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The AIM-120D (P3I Phase 4) is a development of the AIM-120C with a two-way data link, more accurate navigation using a GPS-enhanced IMU, an expanded no-escape envelope, improved HOBS (high off-boresight) capability, and a max speed of Mach 4.<ref name="Archived copy">{{Cite web |url=http://www.deagel.com/Defensive-Weapons/AIM-120D-AMRAAM_a001164006.aspx |title=AIM-120 AMRAAM|access-date=June 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301021543/http://www.deagel.com/Defensive-Weapons/AIM-120D-AMRAAM_a001164006.aspx|website=deagel.com |archive-date=March 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> The AIM-120D is a joint USAF/USN project for which Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation (FOT&E) was completed in 2014.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, US |url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/aim-120-amraam-us/ |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=Airforce Technology |language=en-US}}</ref> The USN was scheduled to field it from 2014, and AIM-120D will be carried by all Pacific carrier groups by 2020, although the [[Budget sequestration in 2013|2013 sequestration cuts]] could push back this later date to 2022.<ref name=Greenert20130918 >{{cite web | url=http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20130918/101291/HHRG-113-AS00-Wstate-GreenertUSNJ-20130918.pdf | first=Admiral Jonathan | last=Greenert | author-link=Jonathan Greenert | title=Statement Before The House Armed Services Committee on Planning For Sequestration in FY 2014 And Perspectives of the Military Services on the Strategic Choices And Management Review | date=September 18, 2013 | publisher=US House of Representatives | access-date=September 21, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923100518/http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS00/20130918/101291/HHRG-113-AS00-Wstate-GreenertUSNJ-20130918.pdf | archive-date=September 23, 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Royal Australian Air Force]] requested 450 AIM-120D missiles, which would make it the first foreign operator of the missile. The procurement, approved by the US Government in April 2016, will cost $1.1&nbsp;billion and will be integrated for use on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-seeks-dods-newest-air-to-air-missile-the-424574/|title=Australia seeks DOD's newest air-to-air missile, the AIM-120D|last=Drew|first=James|date=25 April 2016|website=FlightGlobal|access-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426174657/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/australia-seeks-dods-newest-air-to-air-missile-the-424574/|archive-date=April 26, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

There were also plans for [[Raytheon]] to develop a [[ramjet]]-powered derivative of the AMRAAM, the {{anchor|FMRAAM}}Future Medium Range Air-Air Missile ([[FMRAAM]]). The FMRAAM was not produced since the target market, the British Ministry of Defence, chose the [[MBDA Meteor|Meteor missile]] over the FMRAAM for a [[BVR]] missile for the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]] aircraft.

Raytheon is also working with the [[Missile Defense Agency]] to develop the [[Network Centric Airborne Defense Element]] (NCADE), an anti-ballistic missile derived from the AIM-120. This weapon will be equipped with a [[ramjet]] engine and an [[infrared homing]] seeker derived from the [[AIM-9 Sidewinder|Sidewinder]] missile. In place of a [[Proximity fuze|proximity-fuzed]] warhead, the NCADE will use a [[kinetic energy]] [[hit-to-kill]] vehicle based on the one used in the Navy's [[RIM-161 Standard Missile 3]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ncade-an-abm-amraam-03305/ |title=Defense Industry Daily report, 20 November 2008 |publisher=Defenseindustrydaily.com |date=November 20, 2008 |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302084506/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ncade-an-abm-amraam-03305/ |archive-date=March 2, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The -120A and -120B models are currently{{when|date=June 2022}} nearing the end of their service life while the -120D variant achieved initial operational capability in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air-to-Air Missiles seeking longer ranges and improved capabilities |url=https://issuu.com/edrmag/docs/edr_64_-3_web/s/16405665 |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=issuu |language=en}}</ref> AMRAAM was due to be replaced by the [[USAF]], the [[U.S. Navy]], and the [[U.S. Marine Corps]] after 2020 by the Joint Dual Role Air Dominance Missile ([[Next Generation Missile]]), but it was terminated in the 2013 budget plan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cancels-amraam-replacement-368249/ |title=USAF cancels AMRAAM replacement |work=Flight International |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508220712/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-cancels-amraam-replacement-368249/ |archive-date=May 8, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Exploratory work was started in 2017 on a replacement called [[Long-Range Engagement Weapon]].

In 2017, work on the [[AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile]] (JATM) began to create a longer-ranged replacement for the AMRAAM to contend with foreign weapons like the Chinese [[PL-15]]. Flight tests are planned to begin in 2021 and initial operational capability is slated for 2022, facilitating the end of AMRAAM production by 2026.<ref>[http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/June%202019/Air-Force-Developing-AMRAAM-Replacement-to-Counter-China.aspx Air Force Developing AMRAAM Replacement to Counter China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190622194327/http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2019/June%25202019/Air-Force-Developing-AMRAAM-Replacement-to-Counter-China.aspx |date=June 22, 2019 }}. ''Air Force Magazine''. 20 June 2019.</ref> In July 2022, Raytheon announced the AIM-120D-3 became the longest-range variant in testing, as well as an air-launched adaptation of the NASAMS-based AMRAAM-ER called the '''AMRAAM-AXE''' (air-launched extended envelope). The development of AIM-120D-3 and AMRAAM-AXE is likely driven by the PL-15 performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/09/analysis-air-to-air-warfare-speed-kills |title=Air-to-air warfare: speed kills |website=International Institute for Strategic Studies |date=9 September 2022 |first=Douglas |last=Barrie |access-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913105103/https://www.iiss.org/blogs/military-balance/2022/09/analysis-air-to-air-warfare-speed-kills |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="amraam-axe">{{cite web |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/raytheon-proposes-new-extreme-range-amraam-axe-concept |title=Raytheon Proposes New Extreme-Range Amraam-AXE Concept |work=Aviation Week |date=26 May 2022 |access-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-date=October 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012194309/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/missile-defense-weapons/raytheon-proposes-new-extreme-range-amraam-axe-concept |url-status=live }}</ref> The AIM-120D-3 and the AIM-120C-8 variant for international customers<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=JUST IN: Air Force Completes First Flight Test for Latest AMRAAM Variant |url=https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2023/9/1/air-force-completes-first-flight-test-for-latest-amraam-variant |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.nationaldefensemagazine.org |language=en}}</ref> were developed under the Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) program and feature 15 upgraded circuit cards in the missile guidance section and the capability to continuously upgrade future software enhancements.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> All AMRAAMs planned for production are either the AIM-120D-3 or the AIM-120C-8 incorporating F3R functionality as of April 2023.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Technologies |first=Raytheon |title=Most advanced AMRAAM variant, AIM-120D-3, completes critical milestone for operational use |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/most-advanced-amraam-variant-aim-120d-3-completes-critical-milestone-for-operational-use-301800951.html |access-date=2023-10-26 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>