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From: sdragoo@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen P Dragoo)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: AMRAAM
Message-ID: <1991Apr10.024102.20311@amd.com>
Date: 9 Apr 91 14:06:34 GMT
Sender: military@amd.com
Organization: The Ohio State University
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Approved: military@amd.com


From: sdragoo@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Stephen P Dragoo)


Can someone explain to me why the DoD thought that designing AMRAAM was such
a great idea?  I understand the need for a fully active radar-guided AAM, 
but please!  Putting it in a missile smaller than Sparrow is ridiculous.  If
they weren't able to do it in an 8inch diameter missile, how are they gonna do
it in a 7inch diameter missile?  Better to try to update a Sparrow, or better
yet, build one a little larger--say, 10inches in diameter.  Even better, 
update the Phoenix so that you don't need the AWG-9 system, and make it 
cheaper.  Oh--gee, I forgot.  This is the US military we're talking about here.
They don't care if it really works, as long as it's something new and 
expensive.

Personally, I think a longer range IR seeker would do the job.  Think about it.
With the wonders they're doing now with the 5inchers in Sidewinders, think of 
what they could do with an 8incher in a Sparrow-type.

Well, netters?  What do you think?

	[ I'd suggest Edward Luttwak's _The Pentagon and the Art of War_
	  for an insight into why things like AMRAAM happen, although I don't
	  recall if he discusses it directly.  -- CDR]