Raytheon Peregrine
Medium range radar guided air-to-air missile
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The Raytheon Peregrine is a small, light-weight, medium-range air-to-air missile under development by Raytheon[1] for intended use in the United States Air Force (USAF)[2] and potential international export clients.[3] Roughly half the size of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), the Peregrine is claimed to have similar range to the AMRAAM, while holding similar maneuverability to the shorter-ranged AIM-9X 'Sidewinder' missile while maintaining a potentially lower cost. [4][2]
| Raytheon Peregrine | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium range radar guided air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Raytheon (RTX) |
| Specifications | |
| Length | ~6ft |
| Propellant | Solid Rocket Motor |
Operational range | ~70nm (based on AIM-120) |
Guidance system | Multi-mode (Radar, Infrared) |
Design
The Peregrine is approximately six feet long, weighing 150 pounds (68kg). With a reported 'tri-mode' or multi-mode seeker,[5][2] it could potentially combine Active Radar-homing with Infrared Homing to achieve improved tracking capabilities compared to the older AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles, and make it less susceptible to defensive countermeasures.[5][2]
Development
The Peregrine program was first publicly revealed at the USAF Association’s annual convention on September 16, 2019, and is intended to replace both the AIM-9X and AIM-120 in their respective roles under the USAF's SACM (Small Advanced Capabilities Missile) program, while complementing longer range missiles under development and entering initial service, like the AIM-260 JATM, AIM-174B Gunslinger and AIM-424 LRAAM under the Long-Range Engagement Weapon program (LREW).[2]