H1MIN: AIM-9 SIDEWINDER Infrared Seeker

The AIM-9 Sidewinder missile is famous for its success and use in air forces around the world. This video looks at the basic mechanics of how the infrared seeker and missile works.
For more on this fascinating topic, some links below. Courtesy to them for their valuable research and insights.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIM-9_S...
www.ausairpower.net/TE-Sidewin...
www.ausairpower.net/TE-IR-Guid...

[@branislavradojevic7898]

"Heat guided shotgun"

[@branislavradojevic7898]

@@tachy1801 yeah

[@carlosmorbini745]

Geh out oh' my property

[@chokyfii]

high explosive anti tank guided shot gun

[@tohwangkaien8961]

The singer winder in 3 words

[@yamumisgae]

Is that a james bond reference

[@Noruzenchi86]

The missile knows where it is, because it knows where it isn't

[@reahs4815]

Yes

[@WolfeYankee]

By subtracting where it is from where it isn’t, or where it isn’t from where it is, whichever is greater, it obtains a difference, or deviation.

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

Not in this case tho lol

[@muumuumu]

Nop

[@gufo_tave]

@@possiblyadickhead6653 Actually, it does. Every feedback system operate using an error signal. In a AAM case, there are 2 of them, one on X-Axis, and one on Y-Axis.

[@dragoonTT]

Simple and to the point, can't find information this fast and accurate with high production quality like this channel produces. Keep up the great work!

[@H1MIN]

Thank you!

[@user-nl6gj8eg7x]

@@H1MIN I never subscribed to any channel faster than i did with you sir!! Welldone man

[@hanchen2355]

I found lots of information sitting on toilet.

[@waseemsajjad7200]

to the point

[@chokyfii]

@@H1MIN where do you get the money? i see no ads hrre

[@lolo-om9rs]

glad i found the most underrated channel on youtube

[@celtiberian]

This channel is great, but need more videos.

[@shazwanzulkiflee4413]

@@celtiberian No, even better with the blueprint. Here comes WWIII 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣👻👻👻👻

[@halberdoh8489]

*Underrated

[@doapin6240]

Underrated would be a nicer word too

[@lolo-om9rs]

@@doapin6240 for a second I thought I’m on twatter because I’m getting canceled over a typo that I’ve made years ago.hope you’re happy now

[@eyalserussi665]

This video is faster and more accurate than the actual AIM-9 Sidewinder

[@kuiper921]

Original one at least, the vietnam era ones were prone to being inaccurate but they’re more developed now obv

[@chadmageddon]

@@kuiper921 r/whoosh

[@kuiper921]

Arnold Adomaitis breh, idk why i didn’t get the joke then lol

[@DL-zv5xc]

@@kuiper921 you clearly haven't played dcs

[@kuiper921]

DL72 mate missiles have gotten better over time, not saying they’re completely faultless but they are way better than before

[@ikramulkayes5645]

Others youtubers would take 7 to 10 mins minimum to explain this stuffs but you explained in 2 mins.You are a time saver mate keep up with your work you will be in the spotlight in one day.

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

Yea because they also would explain other stuff. Like he didn't mention that the seekers of today are very different from back then

[@ikramulkayes5645]

notafakeaccount but we normal people just need to know how it actually works

[@possiblyadickhead6653]

@@ikramulkayes5645 well he explained only old seekers. Just go to wikipedia.

[@moth8775]

@@possiblyadickhead6653 Ah yes, Wikipedia the distrustful

[@allahsnackbar9915]

@@possiblyadickhead6653 it is basically the same. the seeker steers the missile and missile goes boom. now its just computerized a bit to defeat countermeasures etc

[@markwilliams8488]

I used to work with these frequently at Homestead AFB. The issue arose when the pilot would write in his log "no tone," or "missile won't track," after a training mission. Be advised; the only "live" component during the training missions was the seeker head. The target detector, warhead and rocket motor were inert. The aircraft crew chief would "tag" the missile (a ticket with discrepancy) and notify Job Control, who told Munitions Control of the bad missile. We'd go to the flight line and retrieve the missile, open a work order and proceed to try to find what's wrong. At the maintenance bay, we'd ground the missile, complete a safety brief and proceed to remove the seeker (head) of the Sidewinder; also known as a "G&C" (Guidance Control Section). After performing a self test of the test set, we (using technical data) placed the seeker on the TS-4044 set and attached any electrical / pneumatic sources, pressed the "go" button and monitored the diagnostic. Halfway through we'd have to rotate the seeker 90 degrees to a different plane (yaw or pitch) and hit "go" again. Somewhere along the way we'd multi-meter read the squib in the gas grain generator in the seeker to ensure its resistance was within parameters. The gas generator provided after launch pneumatic power to operate the canard control surfaces guiding the missile to the target. If the seeker passed, we annotated the paperwork, re-assembled the missile and returned it to service. If it didn't, we run it again, then, again. We might have to test continuity on the seeker umbilical, and follow the technical order troubleshooting chart. If hard broke, it got processed, packaged and sent to depot for repair. The AIM-9 L/M had an argon filled TMU-72/B stainless steel tank to supercool the seeker. It was small enough to hold in your hand, yet contained 5000 psi (Air Force. Navy used nitrogen in the rack / launcher). If the pilot exhausted this supply, then yes, he / she might have issues with target lock on. These were some of first items we checked on the flightline. Mark Williams, USAF (retired) Munitions Systems Specialist (AMMO) 1981 - 2002.

[@H1MIN]

Thank you for your insights and comments, really interesting details. Thank you for your service!

[@ebinecksdee9872]

IYAAYAS, PGM was my first shop

[@markwilliams8488]

@@GewelReal Thanks for supporting our troops!

[@michaeledlin9995]

Lowery 1980

[@markwilliams8488]

@@michaeledlin9995 Hi, were you 316 or 461? In May 1981, we were one of the earliest 316 / 461 merger classes...14 weeks long with 10 weeks at Bldg. 903. LGB, AIM-7 / 9 AGM-65. Four weeks ASTA.

[@kuangsheng3891]

First time I've seen a continuous rod warhead explained so straightforward.

[@princesshuxian3559]

The lock on sound is so lovely

[@princesshuxian3559]

@@nicholasalves7337 I agree ny favorite is ace combat 5

[@KatariaGujjar]

Just like a vibrator

[@Millennium7HistoryTech]

Great job, really! It is not easy to explain this stuff, I try on my channel too and I know it. Just one small remark: the engine burns for 2 to 4 seconds, not for the whole flight ...

[@H1MIN]

Thank you for your insights, much appreciated. Nice work on your channel and the detailed commentary. I agree the engineering and technology is fascinating.

[@Millennium7HistoryTech]

Please, would you drop me a line on the e-mail in the About tab of my channel? Thank you very much.

[@xeigen2]

In 1982 the USA secretly provided us (the UK) with AIM-9L missiles for use in the Falklands War, despite being technically neutral. This allowed our Sea Harriers, which are really an attack aircraft and not particularly suited to air superiority duty, to get 20 air to air kills with zero losses (2 lost to ground fire). Without this weapon we would not have had an effective carrier based fighter. And that is the story of how the Sidewinder missile was instrumental in winning the Falklands War. Thank you to our American friends 👍.

[@psychiatry-is-eugenics]

Xei - amazed the usa actually did something useful

[@Nyx_2142]

The US was also prepared to lend the USS Guam, a Iwo Jima-class helicopter carrier, to the UK to assist if the need arose.

[@TheGreatThicc]

Didn't they also provide a more powerful missile that the Vulcan's carried to knock out radar stations? The missile's name escapes me though.

[@xeigen2]

@@TheGreatThicc They did indeed, AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missiles. Unfortunately the Argentinians knew about the threat of anti-radar missiles and would always turn their radar off when aircraft approached, so we only caused minor damage. It did effectively deny use of the radar for air defence though since they were too scared to use it after that.

[@pimpompoom93726]

@@TheGreatThicc Probably the Shrike.

[@kevinshen9391]

the gyros on the rollerons to make them actuate to stabilize it is genius!

[@loucyphers_nightmare]

I worked on the project back in the early 1980's, the DoD factory I worked at built the proximity fuse for the Sidewinder, this is arguably the the best air to air missle ever built.

[@almightybunny3320]

Yes least what comes short range IR missiles.

[@loucyphers_nightmare]

@@almightybunny3320 : thanks, I should have clarified that

[@hueban1643]

great video as always. There's really no one else i could find making videos like this showing the actual functionality of different weapons systems, let alone with this much production value

[@H1MIN]

Thanks!

@@H1MIN upload more

[@untrust2033]

Note, the current version of the aim 9 uses a focal plane array rather than spin or con scan system.

[@macieksoft]

-There been many variants of the seeker heads used in AIM-9. They have major differences between them. -On the video you can see AIM-7 on wingtip pylons. First, very few F-16 variants ever carried AIM-7, seconds, they couldn't carry it on wingtip pylons. -LOCK audio cue has nothing to do with AIM-9. Lock cue means that radar have locked on the target in ACM mode. And it says LOCK just once, not twice.

[@yigithan3713]

No BS, only useful information... It cant be real this channel. Where are the ads after every 20 seconds? I love them

[@bearc1373]

I'm super glad that I came across this channel! Instantly subbed. Keep these vids coming!🇺🇸

[@TowelGard]

I didn't realize missiles would aim for an intersect point ahead of the target. I've now incorporated this into the game I'm designing.

[@celtiberian]

This channel is great, you just need more videos. I'll be waiting for the next ones.

[@plavins1]

Finally a video that explains how the sidewinder actually works! If there is a more in depth video, please let me know.

[@asaduzzamanriyadh6960]

This channel is very underrated.

Excellent Animation. I get instant cold chills from thinking how long those must have taken :)

[@wildfirelabs]

This vids are so undrrated i wish i can do more than shareing them everywhere

[@SkyNinja759]

I love these short videos. Please do one on the FGM-148 Javelin.

[@firewing1319]

A remake with a change in sound balance of the missile tone would be good.

[@Corlew762]

Great video this was a great depiction of a blast angular Warhead!!!

[@jeremywilson637]

Got a sub from me, brilliant explaining and excellent visual to help drive the information home. 10/10 Knowledge!

[@mathswithwajidanjum965]

Well besides all of this.. he has to explain every thing in just 1 minute ... husshh.. well done mate.. keep it up 😘

[@knight8573]

Great channel. Amazing visuals.

[@jeez123]

All these videos are so informative and short i want more

[@o_o-fk7ym]

The missile knows where it is at all times. It knows this because it knows where it isn't. By subtracting where it is from where it isn't, or where it isn't from where it is (whichever is greater), it obtains a difference, or deviation. The guidance subsystem uses deviations to generate corrective commands to drive the missile from a position where it is to a position where it isn't, and arriving at a position where it wasn't, it now is. Consequently, the position where it is, is now the position that it wasn't, and it follows that the position that it was, is now the position that it isn't. In the event that the position that it is in is not the position that it wasn't, the system has acquired a variation, the variation being the difference between where the missile is, and where it wasn't. If variation is considered to be a significant factor, it too may be corrected by the GEA. However, the missile must also know where it was. The missile guidance computer scenario works as follows. Because a variation has modified some of the information the missile has obtained, it is not sure just where it is. However, it is sure where it isn't, within reason, and it knows where it was. It now subtracts where it should be from where it wasn't, or vice-versa, and by differentiating this from the algebraic sum of where it shouldn't be, and where it was, it is able to obtain the deviation and its variation, which is called error.

[@uploadJ]

Does this make use of the new entabulator design?

[@tu-95turbopropstrategicbom55]

Excellent video as always! Glad to see you heard my suggestion!

[@DJRonnieG]

That was fantastic and informative.

[@rognd8090]

finaly exacly what i wanted to know, thx

[@CreativeForcePro]

It really amazing how military tech was way ahead of it time, just remember all this was made before we had nowadays computers

[@fairnut6418]

The quality is astonishing.

[@nunucello]

Great job

[@tomislavgaspert7697]

Love the channel!

[@2fas4me2]

Developed at China Lake Naval Weapons Center, right across the road from my childhood home of Ridgecrest, California. One more thing, this is where some very big earthquakes hit earlier this year (2020.)

[@NoahSpurrier]

I once held a sidewinder nosecone. It was really weird. Apparently it spins while in flight. From a distance it looked opaque, but up close you could see it was made of a dark glass -- I think it was sort of a brown/orange.

[@addsreclame3264]

Great video mate

[@joshuaespinoza8325]

i always wondered what that weird buzzing noise was. kinda scary knowing that's the missile talking to you.

[@michaelguzzi1]

You deserve 100x your subscriber numbers. Well done

[@kibagamijubei6754]

THIS FUCKING CHANNEL NEEDS FUCKING MILLION SUBS.i learned more on this than 3 years of ballistic school

[@MobiusOne1995]

this is one of the best channels on YT !!! ps: i have a question. why you put sparrows on the sides and sidewinders under the wings?

[@addsreclame3264]

GianMarco 13pm it’s for the wing flex if I remember correctly they always puth the heaviest middle on the outer points on the f-16 and only the f-16

[@jackschoonover6418]

its not meant to be that way.

[@zermomia]

Late 80s when playing F18 interceptor on Amiga....that's the lock sound with a a diamond on the HUD .......the final splash word was the Goal.

[@frqgrenade]

This is a very clever design, more clever than I thought. Could you please specify what version are you describing? I've heard that AIM-9X has full blown thermal camera instead of basic sensor.

[@nerd1000ify]

This is applicable from AIM-9B (the original production model) to AIM-9M, though the seeker technology improved a lot over the course of development- the AIM-9B had an uncooled seeker that could only lock on from directly behind the target at fairly close range. Later models upgraded it to a cooled seeker that initially could lock from longer distances and at a wider range of angles. Ultimately (in the 9L model) it was even able to lock on to a jet flying directly towards it. The later seekers were also much more resistant to decoys such as infrared flares. The AIM-9X is really a totally different design- aside from the imaging seeker it also steers with the rear fins not the canards, has thrust vectoring, and uses a computerized autopilot for stability rather than rollerons. AFAIK it only shares the warhead and rocket engine with previous AIM-9s.

[@timkaenkhtugs4731]

The fact this missile was developed in the 1950’s *mind blown*

[@foxhollow258]

👍👍 simple and most accurate of information.

[@daveybernard1056]

It was envisioned that the original continuous rod warhead would travel to the wing mounted engines of some conventionally shaped bomber, detonate, and the expanding rod would then chop the fuselage in half. Thought to be more effective than simply peppering the plane with a handful of fragments in a more commonplace warhead.

[@drunkenghoul]

Thank you, this channel is pure gold.

[@SA-ow9yo]

Rolleron Piece of Art

[@mehmoodnadeem5594]

very informative.

[@luvr381]

I could almost hear you talking over the sound effects.

[@assidiq178]

"WHAT??! I CANT HEAR YOU OVER THE HUGE AMOUNT FREEDOOM"

[@budmeister]

I can hear him just fine, you ears just suck.

[@luvr381]

@@budmeister Are you always this pleasant, or am I special?

[@SamBrickell]

@@luvr381 Aww, did the snide asshole not like it when someone else acted like a snide asshole?

[@KuroHebi]

Finally, now I know what a Sidewinder growl is.

[@JohnDoe-pv2iu]

Just the facts. We don't care about the fluff! Great video! Take Care and be safe, John Ps: You know it's an Excellent video, when it takes longer to type the comment, than it took to watch the video!

[@ikramulkayes5645]

Keep it up you will be famous

[@yepee1]

I'm curious, do you create your own models or do you get them from an asset store?

[@VisualBasic6]

How did you create those visuals of the mig in IR ?

[@benjaminstenke9716]

was the Frag charge not before the continous rod charge? or did i get something wrong?

[@chrisp3085]

Those gyroscopes are actually pretty genius.

[@lewbear6738]

i know right, never seen that type before.

[@sebastianmizzon1462]

Great, pls more

[@Kaitoyue9869]

Very nice

[@HFMmv]

Nice presentation I worked with the Aim 7 and Aim 9 on F-4 Marine Phantoms (75-85) but my favorite was the F-14 Phoenix missile but since the F-14 retirement I never heard any more about it. Know what its fate was? Curious Minds want to know. Semper Fi

[@sttonep242]

I find that "brrrrrrrr lock lock" absolutely terrifying

[@elena6516]

Awesome

[@aviationmd]

Where did you get the tone sound on 0:22

[@rhysmodica2892]

As I understand it, the latest versions of the AIM 9 use a rotating mirror. Since the photo voltaic cell can't discern position, only hot and cold (scalar quantity), it uses the position of the mirror to judge the bearing of where the signal is coming from. But can anyone tell me how the weird interrupter disk works instead?

[@lerbronk]

amazing just in 80years we go from "people flying is stupid idea" to "flying here is stupid idea"

[@JokinglySeriousHuman]

Nice video. Could anyone explain to me how the target vectoring works? For the missile to know how much to overcompensate to hit the it would have to know the distance to the target? How does it do that?

[@ommsterlitz1805]

Please do a video on the french 550 MAGIC missiles

[@tigerimschlamm2724]

How do you just got 2000 subscribers? You deserve 2.000.000. Seriously.

[@KatariaGujjar]

2 million don't care about weapons

[@tigerimschlamm2724]

@@KatariaGujjar i tell you something i dont belive in God. I be live in ammo A Bullet solves Problems faster than any praier.😂 they better Start care

[@KatariaGujjar]

@@tigerimschlamm2724 Didn't solve the Vietnam problem did it? How about Afghan?

[@tigerimschlamm2724]

@@KatariaGujjar well the Vietcong and the Afghanis used Bullets right because words did Not help

[@KatariaGujjar]

@@tigerimschlamm2724 Not nearly as many bullets as US invaders.

[@fa-ajn9881]

Whoever thought of the tiny wheels... genious.

[@wolfshondbk]

I've got a question about that: how does the missile know the distance to the target, since ist only a 'passive sensor'? I suppose you need distance information to 'lead' the missile

[@melodyfiend]

Very Good Quality Human

[@haosheng12]

Are there explanations about how the 9x off-boresight capabilities works?

[@hizokuto]

This is underrated

[@CraigLumpyLemke]

Actually, I just checked the ratings. It's eleventy-seven percent.

[@hoteltrivago8186]

at 1:15 in the video what do you mean? Annular Blast Fragmentation warhead and a Continuous-rod warhead are the same thing...

[@OverlyCuriousEngineer]

Best. Channel. Ever.

[@delta5-126]

I wonder when will you make a video on how a JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) works?

[@spreddyreds9408]

When the enemy aircraft seen the missile warning and shuts off the engine and goes for a controlled glide will it still get the kill?

[@piotr780]

what is resolution of infrared seeker ? I heard its 16x16 pixels

[@yelectric1893]

You madlad

[@RedVRCC]

insane to think that the AIM-9X is still the same missile from the 50s underneath all those upgrades.

[@gTosca_666]

Morpheous: -Tank ¡load the misile program! Neo: I know how a sidewinder works

[@edi9892]

I never imagined that it would kill with a continuous wire. This reminds me of the mines in Dishonored. I thought that this was just fantasy...

[@fadlya.rahman4113]

Many countries have discarded the continuous rod warhead as it is not as effective as a blast fragmentation warhead.

[@edi9892]

@@fadlya.rahman4113 Have you any idea why they originally designed it as one piece? I see no merits and only design challenges in it...

[@CassiusGreen]

@@edi9892 Its easier to make a big rod that detaches itself and goes through your target at mach 2 than an elaborate circle of fragmentation propelled by explosion at mach 2 blasted around the sides of the rocket.

[@DreadX10]

@@edi9892 If memory serves me it had something to do with the target. Infra-red seekers use to need to see the hot exhaust of the engine and therefore were best used from behind. Targets usually had a hotspot in the middle and the missile would burst behind the target. The expanding ring would be in a good position to cut one or both wings off. At a larger distance the ring breaks up in big chunks and these were also capable of ripping a wing off and not just put a few holes in them. This breaking up was however very hard to predict and could even be the cause for a miss although the target was in the kill-zone.

[@alexanderryan-jones600]

WING MOUNTED SPARROWS *anneurysm* Great video though.

[@h31212]

What's the problem with wing mounted missiles lol

[@billbrockman779]

Sure they’re not AMRAAM’s?

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@billbrockman779 No. The AMRAAM's front and rear fins are basically the same size.

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

@@h31212 He never said there's a problem with wing mounted missiles. He said the problem is with wing mounted SPARROWS.

[@user-do5zk6jh1k]

To make it clear, the F-16 never mounted the Sparrow on the wingtip rails operationally. Only the Sidewinder and AMRAAM.

[@martinsohajek6111]

"Missile is designed to overcompensate the movement to where the target is vectored instead of chasing the target" Directors of air combat movies: "i'm gonna pretend i didn't see that"

[@jackschoonover6418]

The Sidewinders should be on the wingtips, and the missiles on the wingtips in the video should be where the Sidewinders are

[@mozarellachan5854]

what kind of IR Detector it used?

[@vandarkholme4745]

Dang good shit

[@prodem1065]

Funny story on how the soviets got their hands on air to air missles. A F-86(I dont know where it happend anymore but I know 100% that this story is real) fired a sidewinder at a MIG-15. The missle failed to detonate and slammed into the MiG-15s fusulage where it got stuck. The Mig-15 pilot returned to his base with brown pants and the missle was send to the soviet union were it was basicly just reverse engeneerd. If you look at some of the first soviet air to air missles they are exact coppys of the first sidewinder. Thats the reason why. Realy a shame that it had to come that way. Otherwise the US could have had a gigant technological advantage over the soviets for many years. But hey, at least that Mig-15 pilot survived and could come home to his family with lots of medals.

[@NeoPsychosis-zg2ki]

That story was happened in taiwan. The first sidewinder user outside the US. During the mission, a taiwanese sabre squadron scrambled to engage chinese migs, which loaded with sidewinders of course. When one of the sabres fires a missile to engage a mig, due to mechanical failure the warhead failed to detonate at the target but instead plunged in that chinese mig.

[@TheArklyte]

"Realy a shame that it had to come that way. Otherwise the US could have had a gigant technological advantage over the soviets for many years." Such a shame. But not as much as whomever teached metalworking to greeks and romans:D

[@MykolaSternenkoDroneBoyHoleMan]

Russians were quite good at missiles themselves. Even knowing their miniaturisation problems. US was dominating air anyways, but ruskies weren't that bad.

[@TheArklyte]

@@MykolaSternenkoDroneBoyHoleMan How dare you imply that soviets invented and designed a lot of things themselves? To the jail with you!

[@TheKratoKiller]

Can you do more A/A Missiles? R77 AIM54, R27 etc

[@toddribnek6660]

Used to have a model rocket of this bad boy. Good times

[@Sero.M0204]

*_It's easy and simple to escape and get rid of all kinds of heat-seeking missiles! If the target is an airplane, in your stern, if the target is a tank, 2 meters next to it, just detonate something that emits high heat!_* *It's that easy and simple!* *_So avoid being a target! I always say! Laser guided or more best " Radar Guided " systems give more guaranteed results!_*

[@jeffbenton6183]

I know about the advantages of the "continuous rod" warhead of the "earlier versions." Can someone explain to me why blast-fragmentation warhead is better? Thanks.

[@anonymousstout4759]

Isn't the sideindwer should be gliding and the rocket booster are only for few seconds of flight?

[@xeigen2]

That's right. The original Mk.17 rocket motor burns for 2.2 seconds and the newer Mk.36 4 seconds.

[@theenchiladakid1866]

The 1950s? Thats cool

[@generalvictorironraven.1347]

Me: fires Fox 2 at a Target to the east on my early morning patrol. My sidewinder: I don't know who I am I don't know why I'm here all I know is I must kill the Sun!!!