This would have featured the Delta II second stage, an optional Thiokol Star 48B third stage, and the Delta II payload fairing, all atop a single Common Booster Core (CBC). ĭuring the Delta IV's development, a small variant was considered. Perhaps the most significant change was the switch from kerosene to liquid hydrogen fuel, with new tankage and a new engine required. While the Delta IV retains the name of the Delta family of rockets, major changes were incorporated. The latest evolutionary development of the Delta rocket family, Delta IV was introduced to meet the requirements of the United States Air Force's (USAF) Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV, now National Security Space Launch (NSSL)) program. Final assembly was completed at the launch site by ULA: at the horizontal integration facility for launches from SLC-37B pad at Cape Canaveral and in a similar facility for launches from SLC-6 pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Payloads that would have previously fly on Medium and Heavy are moving to either the existing Atlas V or the forthcoming Vulcan.ĭelta IV vehicles were built in the ULA facility in Decatur, Alabama. As of 2023, the Heavy has flown its penultimate mission, NROL-68. The Delta IV originally had two main versions which allowed the family to cover a range of payload sizes and masses: the retired Medium (which had four configurations) and Heavy. The Delta IV was primarily a launch vehicle for United States Air Force (USAF) military payloads, but was also used to launch a number of United States government non-military payloads and a single commercial satellite. Originally designed by Boeing's Defense, Space and Security division for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, the Delta IV became a United Launch Alliance (ULA) product in 2006. Second stage – Delta Cryogenic Second Stage (DCSS)ĭelta IV was a group of five expendable launch systems in the Delta rocket family introduced in the early 2000s. Wingspan: 20.7 inches (52.Boosters (Heavy) – Common Booster Core (CBC)Ģ45 seconds (328 seconds in Heavy configuration) Launch Weight: 335 pounds (150.75 kilograms) Primary Function: Air-to-air tactical missileĬontractor: Hughes Aircraft Co. AMRAAM is combat tested, scoring two kills during Operation Southern Watch, and one kill in Bosnia.ĪMRAAM has three variants - AIM-120A/B/C - operational on U.S. More than 200 of the test missiles were launched during flight tests at Eglin AFB, Fla. A production contract to both vendors was awarded in 1987. completed missile development and Raytheon was selected as a follower producer. The Air Force competitively selected Hughes Aircraft Co.'s Missile System Group, Canoga Park, Calif., as the full-scale developer.ĭuring the full-scale development phase, Hughes Aircraft Co. The program phase concluded in December 1981 after both contractors demonstrated that their flight-test missiles could satisfy Air Force and Navy requirements. and Raytheon Co., to continue into the validation phase.ĭuring the 33-month validation phase the contractors continued missile development by building actual hardware to demonstrate their technological concepts. Air Force selected two of five competing contractors, Hughes Aircraft Co.
The AMRAAM program completed its conceptual phase in February 1979 when the U.S. The pilot may then perform evasive maneuvers while the missiles guide themselves to their targets. This enables the pilot to aim and fire several missiles simultaneously at multiple targets. Once the missile closes on a target, its active radar guides it to intercept. It incorporates active radar with an inertial reference unit and micro-computer system, which makes the missile less dependent upon the fire-control system of the aircraft.
The missile is faster, smaller and lighter, and has improved capabilities against low-altitude targets. AMRAAM is compatible with the Air Force F-15, F-16, F-22 and developmental F-35 and Navy F/A-18 C-F.ĪMRAAM is a follow-on to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series. and allied aircraft to meet current and future threat of enemy air-to-air weapons. The AMRAAM program improves the aerial combat capabilities of U.S. The AMRAAM is being procured for the Air Force, U.S. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2000. The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation air-to-air missile.
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