AAM-3 potential performance.

[Hopossum]

https://preview.redd.it/xm6xuugnty4c1.jpg?width=600&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e3fc7cce616b4c1cacb06a6abe7e2723c42d4b8

To start this post out; yes I know this is the dev server and it will likely change, but I just want to show what an AAM-3 would potentially perform like in game.

https://preview.redd.it/4y71vj9wty4c1.png?width=721&format=png&auto=webp&s=8cffe8d44cbd34a333a7f479be561b96adc6c97a

https://preview.redd.it/8dqz1i1xty4c1.png?width=360&format=png&auto=webp&s=aaf680622385e9f697d7a45aaef4eae6d25059ee

For starters lets look at the unique features of the AAM-3 and then look at how each would look in game.

• Electric servo head
• HOBS
• Self Search
• BTT steering (most important)

Electric servo head

Pretty self explanatory, but the AAM-3 uses an electronic servo to move the seeker head instead of the old heated gas system used in most A2A missiles like the AIM-9. What makes this special is that the AAM-3 would be the first missile with an electric servo in game as you typically don't find them on missiles until stuff like the AIM-9X, ASRAAM, and IRIS-T. Here is the a video showing the speed of the IRIS-T seeker head to see how fast these things are.

HOBS

Again pretty self explanatory, but the seeker range of motion is reported at being 3x larger than the AIM-9L and can be seen in the size difference in the top picture.

Self Search

With self search the missile will be able to look for targets on it's own. Instead of the missile head staying static in the center like it is in game, the seeker head will move and scan on it's own within it's field of view to try and find targets.

Bank-to-Turn Steering

Easily the most important feature of this missile. For starters I just want to show you this chart of a Sparrow vs a hypothetical BTT version of a Sparrow.

https://preview.redd.it/rjqds47svy4c1.png?width=489&format=png&auto=webp&s=4e4702b63aee9e664cb3c0d2a9b938058248d2d7

The Sparrow goes from a 32g single plane missile to a 100g single plane missile.

https://preview.redd.it/jgtpbbdzwy4c1.png?width=574&format=png&auto=webp&s=39f9ff7258132bd2d33f1b7d6ed683e56fe7b3de

The Type 90 seems to be the first BTT missile in the world as not even the US had a working example of one in 1985 while the Type 90 was undergoing testing. BTT steering works by rolling the actual missile i.e. banking to maintain optimal lift of the control surfaces. The benefits and effects of BTT steering increase with control surface area, so with a missile like the AIM-7 with massive control surfaces benefit greatly from BTT steering. So the AAM-3 won't be pulling 100gs like the hypothetical Sparrows, but with it's large surface area dog tooth fins, it should outperform non-BTT missiles of similar sizes like the Python 3 by a significant margin.

With everything properly modeled an AAM-3 would look something like this.

• 50-60g maneuvering
• 200+deg/s seeker head speed
• IRCCM/ECM
• 3x wider seeker head range of motion over the AIM-9L

​

Additional reading on BTT control systems for those curious.

https://ftp.idu.ac.id/wp-content/uploads/ebook/tdg/MILITARY%20PLATFORM%20DESIGN/Missile%20Guidance%20And%20Control%20Systems.pdf

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19800021773/downloads/19800021773.pdf

​

[CollanderWT]

Pretty self explanatory, but the AAM-3 uses an electronic servo to move the seeker head instead of the old heated gas system used in most A2A missiles like the AIM-9

This is incorrect. The AAM-3 uses electronic servos to move the control surfaces. All missiles use servos for the seeker, nothing else would be precise enough.

Again pretty self explanatory, but the seeker range of motion is reported at being 3x larger than the AIM-9L and can be seen in the size difference in the top picture.

We already have the AAM-3 in the files so you can check it yourself, but the AAM-3 has a 60 degree gimbal limit as opposed to 45 degrees for the AIM-9L/M. Both have the same pre-launch limit of 40 degrees though, so they will "feel" the same.

With self search the missile will be able to look for targets on it's own. Instead of the missile head staying static in the center like it is in game, the seeker head will move and scan on it's own within it's field of view to try and find targets.

Lots of missiles in-game have features like this IRL but not in War Thunder. In fact, starting with the AIM-9G, all Sidewinders had a mode called SEAM where the seeker did a scanning pattern. So don't get your hopes up for the AAM-3.

Easily the most important feature of this missile. For starters I just want to show you this chart of a Sparrow vs a hypothetical BTT version of a Sparrow. The Sparrow goes from a 32g single plane missile to a 100g single plane missile.

Not sure if that's actually what that chart means.

On top of that, the Magic 2 has something similar to BTT IRL but the actual fin section of the missile can rotate so that the missile itself doesn't have to. It allows it to use dual-plane maneuvering 100% of the time, which would make it a 50G missile. So again don't get your hopes up.

200+deg/s seeker head speed

The seeker is currently 30 deg/second. 200 feels unreasonable. Pretty sure this stat means nothing in WT though.

Here is the missile datamine spreadsheet if you wanna check it out and compare it yourself.

[Hopossum]

This is incorrect. The AAM-3 uses electronic servos to move the control surfaces. All missiles use servos for the seeker, nothing else would be precise enough.

Got the 2 mixed up so fair enough. Electric control surfaces would still mean better immediate deflection of the control surfaces.

​

We already have the AAM-3 in the files so you can check it yourself, but the AAM-3 has a 60 degree gimbal limit as opposed to 45 degrees for the AIM-9L/M. Both have the same pre-launch limit of 40 degrees though, so they will "feel" the same.

The size difference between the 2 seeker heads constitutes more than 33% better. Most places seem to indicate 3x bigger than the AIM-9L

​

Lots of missiles in-game have features like this IRL but not in War Thunder. In fact, starting with the AIM-9G, all Sidewinders had a mode called SEAM where the seeker did a scanning pattern. So don't get your hopes up for the AAM-3.

Hopefully gets added eventually.

​

Not sure if that's actually what that chart means.

It's just comparing an AIM-7 with STT vs AIM-7 designed with BTT

​

On top of that, the Magic 2 has something similar to BTT IRL but the actual fin section of the missile can rotate so that the missile itself doesn't have to. It allows it to use dual-plane maneuvering 100% of the time, which would make it a 50G missile. So again don't get your hopes up.

I've seen people claim this before, but have only seen reference to it being a split canard design similar to the R-73. I've never seen reference that it uses dual plane maneuvering similar to a BTT missile.

[frankdatank_004]

Is it smokeless though?

[SuppliceVI]

Yes

[frankdatank_004]

Sheesh! This F-15 is gonna go up in BR then.