The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lithuania of AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million. The Government of Lithuania has requested to buy thirty-six (36) AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); and one (1) AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM Guidance Section. Also included are Common Munitions Built-In-Test (BIT)/Reprogramming Equipment (CMBRE); ADU-891/E adapter group computer test sets; AIM-120 spare control sections and containers; and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. It uses active transmit-receive radar guidance instead of semi-active receive-only radar guidance. It is a fire-and-forget weapon, unlike the previous generation Sparrow missiles which required full guidance from the firing aircraft. When an AMRAAM missile is launched, NATO pilots use the brevity code “Fox Three”.The AMRAAM has been used in several engagements, achieving 16 air-to-air kills in conflicts over Iraq, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, and Syria.
The AIM-120C-8 (AIM-120D or 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, and improved HOBS (high off-boresight) capability. The AIM-120C-8 has a max speed of Mach 4 and is a joint USAF/USN project currently in the testing phase. The USN was scheduled to field it from 2014, and AIM-120C-8 will be carried by all Pacific carrier groups by 2020, although the 2013 sequestration cuts could push back this later date to 2022. The AIM-120C-8 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).
NASAMS (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a distributed and networked short- to medium-range) ground-based air defense system developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon. NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a distributed and networked short- to medium-range?4?ground-based air defense system developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and Raytheon. In 2017, Lithuania ordered the NASAMS-3 to improve its own air defense capabilities; two batteries were delivered in 2020. Another contract for more systems is planned to be signed by the end of 2023.
??US State Department has approved Lithuania's request to acquire AIM-120C-8 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles(AMRAAM) & related equipment for an estimated cost of $100 million. We have requested 36 AMRAAM's with Guidance Section. Contract to be signed by the end of 2023. pic.twitter.com/H5RCBvbnLq
— Lithuanian MOD ?? (@Lithuanian_MoD) October 24, 2023
