NWC / McDonnell Douglas & Hughes AIAAM studies

[overscan (PaulMM)]

McDonnell Douglas medium-range air-to-air missile concept utilizing integral rocket ramjet
propulsion is mounted on a Navy/Grumman F—14. Concept shown is not designed tor launch.
McDonnell Douglas also has a concept employing square inlets on the missile instead of the
round inlets on this concept. Windows in the bottom of the unit are for viewing of model
components inside the structure of the missile concept

Source: AWST 31st Jan 1977

 

[TomS]

View attachment 716130

Source: AWST 31st Jan 1977

This would have been an absolute bastard to fit into an internal weapon bay in the same numbers as the actual procured version. But it sure is an interesting road not taken.

 

[NMaude]

This would have been an absolute bastard to fit into an internal weapon bay in the same numbers as the actual procured version.

What about with folding fins?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

This is identified not as a AMRAAM but as AIAAM (advanced interceptor air-to-air missile), a US Navy / McDonnell Douglas study of a Sparrow-sized integral rocket-ramjet AAM. It was a lot larger than the AMRAAM designs.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

This must be ancestral to the AAAM. It demonstrated that Phoenix-level kinematic performance could be achieved in a Sparrow sized airframe.

AAAM Topic: https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/aim-152-aaam-phoenix-replacement-projects.2548/

 

[NMaude]

Was this ever flown as a technology demonstrator?

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

It was a precursor study to the NWC ACIMD demonstrator.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/nwc-advanced-common-intercept-missile-acimd.42822/

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Note that Hughes is also listed as a contractor for AIAAM - not sure if its jointly with McDonnell-Douglas or a separate study. Hughes based their AAAM / AIM-152 design on AIAAM studies.

 

[TomS]

What about with folding fins?

It still ends up being in the ballpark of maybe 18-20 inches across the intakes. But as we have learned, it was never meant to be an AMRAAM-class missile.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

This McDonnell Douglas ramjet configuration seems to have been developed with NASA as part of the MORASS and SASS programs.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/mcdonnell-261-morass-and-266-sass-airbreathing-missiles.12916/

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Also see https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/th...range-air-to-air-missile-system-alraam.42323/

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

The sequence of programs seems to be MORASS (1972), SASS (1974-5), ALRAAM / AIAAM, AICMD, AAAM, with McDonnell-Douglas involved in each.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Hayes , Clyde : Supersonic Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Twin- Inlet Advanced Intercept Air - to - Air Missile ( AIAAM ) Configuration . NASA TM- 83178 , 1981 .

Hayes , Clyde : Aerodynamic Characteristics of a Supersonic Single - Inlet Missile Configuration Investigated as Part of the Advanced Intercept Air - to - Air Missile (AIAAM) Program . NASA TM- 83177 , 1981 .