Inside the AIM-9 Sidewinder Missile

[@frontline-visuals]

Field experts and Engineers, Please chime in your two cents on video corrections and further explanations on this comment so that people can learn more. Some things were omitted or simplified not to overcomplicate the production of the video and also the content itself, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't know about it. Thank you in advance.

[@danielfearn6076]

Your description of proportional navigating was spot on, but there were some slight mislabellings in the graphics. The secondary mirror IS the gyroscope in the version shown. The entire optical assembly, that you correctly animated tilting, is spinning the whole time. This is how it stays pointed at the target during the proportional navigation. If the target bearing moves, a force is required to change the orientation of the optical assembly to re-centre it and this command is also fed back to the control system to drive the fin actuators.

[@fourfoldway]

Your explanation of the rollerons was quite clear, but the animation shows them pivoting the wrong way to correct the clockwise roll. They need to pivot in the same direction as the roll, to generate torque in the opposite direction and cancel the roll. If you think through their spinning-gyroscope operation, and recall that they’re rolling backward, not forward like bicycle wheels on the ends of the fins, their movements will become clear.

[@frontline-visuals]

Ohhh yeah I noticed that after making a short about it. Thanks for the comments!

[@Rasorsbiggestfan]

Brother i just checked out 8 videos on how the infrared guidance works but no one explained it your video was the only one that did explain it in details thank you so much

[@frontline-visuals]

Awesome, thank you!

[@asifalikhan8677]

​@@frontline-visualsbut still did not understand how the detection work in multi dimension because you have explain in one dimension/ Axis

[@Madarius7]

@@asifalikhan8677 it’s detecting 3d particles/waves interacting in a 3d environment, how it’s explained is how it works in multiple dimensions.

[@asifalikhan8677]

@@Madarius7 it's still confusing may be my maths is not on that level 😞

[@Madarius7]

@@asifalikhan8677 couldn’t say why but I have a feeling your math is not lacking, id assume probably more a visualization/language issue.

[@TheOficialBT]

5:46 The iconic buzz

[@Sajuuk]

The missile knows where it is at all times, because it knows where it isn't........

[@christopherrobinson7541]

That sound like an explanation of how INAS works.

[@shadmanrchowdhury]

I knew I was gonna see this comment.

[@neongamer2795]

I love being able to see these everyday. We usually load an AIM-9M, AIM-9X, and 2 AIM-120C AMRAAM’s on our F-16s. The rollerons, thrust vectoring motors, moving fins, and the big ol guidance system in the front section poking out are really cool to see right next to my face lol

[@caleb22229]

Why load 9Ms when you have 9X?

[@salzwurst3026]

@@caleb22229there cheaper

[@DabobusDaplane]

🧢

[@Pvt_Wade]

why mix AIM-9M and AIM-9X? 🤣 aerodynamics?

[@DabobusDaplane]

@@Pvt_Wade Rollerons aren't used now either lol. That guy doesn't know what he is yapping' about

[@jamesmorton7881]

1971. AIM9G, tubes. 1975 AIM9H the first solid state version. NWC was a cool place to work back in 1974. Planar arrays and the microprocessor now dAIM9X.

[@rasimbot]

A solid propellant doesn't burn from the front to the back. It burns outward from the core along its entire length

[@thlee3]

omg. this is incredibly well put together

[@theskipper1136]

This was an interesting video and I really enjoyed it, it helped me understand more how missiles work and how the rollerons and guidance actually functioned.

[@67jokerswild]

They didn’t have ic circuits back in the 50s. I’d have liked to see a description of how they used tubes and valves in a purely analog system back then

[@abizair1832]

I assume it would utilize some sort of op-amp/inductors/diodes/capacitors networks?

[@its_jjk]

Didn't use tubes. Couldn't

[@pendefig]

@@its_jjk They definitely used tubes, I saw an AIM-9B seeker head in a surplus store in the Bay Area in the 80's there was still one tube attached to the back of the head. Most of the signal processing was done by using multiple windings in the casing surrounding the gyro/spinning telescope assembly. One set of windings drove the gyroscope, another could be driven to cause the telescope to change view angle, one sensed the position of the telescope, and a fourth provided pulses that could be used to steer the fins.

[@Braydan789]

@@its_jjkthey did use tubes in early experiments before the transistor, tubes were able to withstand the forces experienced by the missile.

[@michelangeloponchio7229]

In my opinion, the electronics and sensor signal conditioning are the real miracle of this crazy piece of engineering

[@AllisonDNADOC]

Thank you for posting! I had no idea that the detection system was so rudimentary!! It's brilliant in its simplicity though. Also easy to see why stealth technology was useful.

[@frontline-visuals]

Thank you for the kind comments. You are absolutely right, most engagements will be beyond visual range due to the powerful AIM-9 trackers.

[@AllisonDNADOC]

@@frontline-visuals I'm at the DoD. Let me know if you want any content assistance 🙂 I specialize in something you might find useful.

[@frontline-visuals]

@@AllisonDNADOC Awesome! Thank you very much, it was a pain to look for Public information. I will reach out, Thank you.

[@AEengineer-l5b]

Thanks a lot for such a detailed explanation

[@loremaster_7901]

This is one of the most informative and easy to understand videos on this topic. I found this video on my for-you page, and it caught my attention. Would love to see more of these military/engineering animations. You've earned a sub today!

[@jhonagustine8870]

This video deserve more views, the information in this video very good. I hope with this comment will trigger youtube logarithm to spread wide. Thanks

[@hello_hansen]

man this is absolutly fantastic! thank u for these informative & awesome animations

[@TheAlgorithm733]

There is a lot of information and details in the video , fascinating video.

[@frontline-visuals]

Thank you, Mr. Algorithm! 😮

[@MrYessyess]

and lots of information is missing in this video

[@TheAlgorithm733]

@@MrYessyess like what

[@MrYessyess]

@@TheAlgorithm733 improved versions of the aim 9 for example, i worked for the royal Netherlands Air force up till may 99, after that they had better improved versions of the aim 9 that could not trick the infrared of the missile not get fooled by flairs

[@JFirn86Q]

I love getting more complicated, so don't try to simplify too much! Fantastic video!!

[@samoriginal]

I can’t believe a missile legit got stuck into a jet and it landed safely without the missing going off 😂😂

[@sol90981]

That why wise men said "Make missile more pointy"😂

[@MrWinstonSmith]

Very nice video. Excellent explanation. Wonderful 3D explainer graphics. And a very soothing AI voice. Very nicely rounded.

[@samehgirges8648]

Highly appreciate your content

[@frontline-visuals]

Thank you, it really means a lot!

[@steffenschaeuf6759]

Great explanation! How geniously simple the seeker works, wow!

[@shellyoung2646]

Bro. You just inspired myself to pursue military career. I'll build rocket now! I'm a rocketman now! High five!

[@AlexRantos]

I have seen an old sidewinder up close (late 80's). What wasn't mentioned was that the Rollerons were stored inside the hinged surfaces so they don't flap around when the missile is carried around on the aircraft. They were sitting loaded and popped out, to the position showed on the video, to activate only after the missile was fired off the rail. The release mechanism was even better as they had a strong holding each pair of opposite rollerons stopped. The string was going across the rocket motor exhaust. So when the pilot fired the missile, burner through the strings (looked like a cross) and released the rollerons.

[@VFrozzen]

i always wondered how would they work when they are carried by the aircraft, were they always spinning? but that could make some unnecessary wear on the rollerons so i ended up thinking, well, maybe they were made heavy enough so they wont be spinning all the time, i thought that since the aircraft never goes as fast as the missiles do so maybe the air that was going trough them wasnt enough to make them spin but i always had that question, this is something you dont find easily even on the internet, thanks for the knowledge.

[@dr.paninozzo2421]

Thank you very much for explaining it in such detail, i've been looking for a video like this

[@martingrof1685]

Love the video style!

[@user-iz3gv5vo6b]

Thanks for the video. Excellent explaination!

[@el10n39]

best explanation I've ever seen good work, don't stop! 👍

[@Navyguy]

*fantastic work! Just hope this information doesn't reach the wrong minds* 🔥

[@siinakh7573]

This content was amazing🔥

[@stockandoptionstrading]

Beautiful video ❤❤❤❤😊

[@novyeiluj]

Very interesting and informative video.

[@gert5303]

7:10 Made me laugh, thanks for this video. Really interesting and well explained.

[@frontline-visuals]

Finally someone appreciated my witty jokes. Thanks for the support means a lot!

[@kaproductions777]

Nice channel bro

[@jaeholee3816]

old version of sidewinder seeker technology is very old Retro technology , now days , in sidewinder X version has a 2D image array sensor and digital analyzer computer to detect enemy.

Fantastic! Thx. I never understand how they achieved tracking in 1950s. Very clever :D

[@jeffalvich9434]

What most are not aware of is the aim 7 and 9 were products of Hughes Aircraft Company who brought it from the USN lab to an operational weapon. HAC produced this system through the late 1990's.

[@ethanboyd7843]

I'd say that's pretty nifty!

[@andrefreeman7025]

5:52 Why would the frekvenci be higher at the center? It is spinning wheels with angular velocity constant for every radius. In the middle, the shading element moves slower, but is smaller and the number of he element is constant.

[@supremeleader5516]

Amazing Content

[@bloodborneloverrr7646]

Please more videos like this

[@blackhatfreak]

Good shit brother

[@greghorine4995]

I wish you would have included the AIM-9X, with thrust vectoring of a solid rocket motor, and the ability to acquire and attack high off-boresight targets. Really cool video, though.

[@nonosquare9347]

The weather might be cloudy 😂

[@voxelsofsorrow]

this was incredibly informative. did you make all the visuals yourself? can you describe your workflow?

[@frontline-visuals]

Took about 2 months and 10 hours a day to research, model, shade, texture and animate the entire thing. 400Gbs of Render data too. But I really love tech and good engineering, so it was a fun ride.

[@Lockheed_jets]

It’s cool all in all but can you do 2 videos about the Aim-120 and Aim-174?

[@limabravo6065]

Holy shit the original system uses a setup like an optical ignition some older cars used. I really want to build one of these

[@ERIKNOWAKK]

at 5:33 when the "red plane" is either in the middle or further away how does the missile or the computer know how much it should steer? okay it knows the frequency but how does it know the side it should steer at?

[@koharaisevo3666]

This is just my guess, but since the seeker scans around the pitch changes, assume the control system knows which direction the seeker is pointing it can steer the missile to the direction.

[@Braydan789]

I believe it could be possible to use the phase difference of the signal, as in you generate a signal that oscillates at the same frequency as the conical scanner speed and then detect the difference is phase between the detected signal and the reference oscillator signal, because the scanner is moving upwards on lets say the right side and downwards on the left, thus depending on which side the enemy aircraft is of the missile the phase difference will be leading or lagging depending on whether the aircraft is on the left or right side. The same method could be used for top and bottom as well.

[@qazwsxqaz3163]

​@@Braydan789 если коротко, то примерно так и происходит, 4а вы описали.

[@antonioclemente897]

The spinner used to transform analog signals to " digital" reminds me of the early mechanical tvs

[@nakotaapache4674]

if it can be told that missles could be beautiful the aim9 is one of them.

[@Ad-skip]

7:16 BWAHAHAHAHA!! That caught me off guard.

[@menace275]

Your video is good, why does it have such low views. KZbin is really trying to censor great content like this.

[@mohammedajala]

Hi. I love your videos. Please, what technology or softwares can I use to create such video animations ?

[@frontline-visuals]

I use Blender, it's a free and open-source software. You can get it at blender.org

[@emmanuelmatchuca3871]

How the skibidi is this not popular ofc people must know how a infared missile works🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 good content

[@frontline-visuals]

It's my first ever KZbin Channel, Thank you for the comments bro! Stay tuned I will be making more interesting high quality content. :)

[@Lothrean]

Did you count the damage done to the state for buying it to the total damage dealt?

[@FutureAIDev2015]

The missile knows where it is

[@philippedibin2749]

Hi, Nice video but at 5:30 there is an error. If the turning reticule pattern is the one presented, the generated frequency f (Hz) is equal to rotation speed v (round per sec) times the number of slits N on the pattern : f= v N and thus is independent from the position of the aircraft image on the reticule leading to a constant frequency f. Something is certainely wrong in your explaination ... Despite that, very ineteresting video.

[@loremipsum3147]

yes, actually modulation amplitude changes not the frequency

[@ssap3717]

How do you generate this voice? Is it yours?

[@NazmusLabs]

This doesn’t sound like a generated AI voice. This sounds like a human voice.

[@stockandoptionstrading]

Please keep it up with this misssile and weapobs videos

[@jugosever]

The device that holds the seeker is not a gyroscope but a gimbal.

[@frontline-visuals]

A "gimbal" is part of the gyroscope. this has precession and gimbaling coils.

[@danielreyes1084]

I remember in 1950 we had a computer room and the room was full of computer parts

[@milowannebo-sorensen1776]

The missile knows where it as all times. This is because the knows where it by subtracting where it isnt with where it is, and where it is with where it isnt.

[@christopherrobinson7541]

INAS

[@daveminion6209]

like a micro-cosom of the entire MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX since start of Cold War.

[@SevenDeMagnus]

Cool

[@priyabrata_roy]

09:53 pure American thrust ! 😂🤣😛😝

[@loremipsum3147]

Reticle is wrong. Half of it should be fully black. That's how aircraft angular position is detected, by waveform phase not the conic scan. That's for searching for a potential target and tracking it. Also, radial position changes modulation amplitude not the frequency.

[@frontline-visuals]

You're absolutely right, that's my bad. The reticle should be black on one side. I simplified it for the sake of the animation. It also helps with background noise like clouds and countering flares.

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Pity about the Soviet reverse-engineering. No possibility of having put a self-destruct timer on the whole caboodle? 🤔

[@christopherrobinson7541]

Later versions had both contact fuses and a self-destruct timer.

[@javacup912]

The missile can shoot down friendly aircraft as well. The missile itself doesn’t know what’s friend of foe. All it knows that it was launched towards a target and hopes it doesn’t got dud

[@robertmayfield8746]

I figured this out thrity years ago, only different way of doing the same thing.

[@danielreyes1084]

IS there anyways to make a bird seeking missile?

[@JasonPD-m9u]

The rotating reticle in the seeker could not operate as depicted. No matter where the IR source is located, the frequency of the signal will always be the RPM of the reticle times the number of slits on the reticle. Your diagrams at 6:07 show amplitude modulation, not frequency modulation. This video is riddled with errors.

[@engchoontan8483]

2024 rails = take vibrations off the wings missile = takes the radiation of emitters off the cockpit size = assist aerodynamics size = asta and other progressive builds from surface to air and air to air (insides are not AIM-9?) usage = AWAC, EW, high-altitude balance, supersonic flight release, supercruise loadout

[@engchoontan8483]

weapons officer = radar detects, hand-over to missile, missile reacquire, missile lock using its own radar or infra-red or ... depending on 9? version... skipped these

[@engchoontan8483]

suzhou industrial park replication of problems = exposé-tech starts = french saboteur provocateur facillitator-coordinator to saboteur-provocateur = exposé-tech enhanced = american microcosm = exposé-tech pattern detection = behavioral traits, character building, personality, principles, ... = exposé-tech combined for risk-security on old-dogs to desperados full game on weapons industry

[@athenovae]

Dang, someone send this to DEstin from Smarter Everyday 😂

[@mtacoustic1]

Built by Boeing? Now that would be a concern for the pilot launching a Sidewinder!

[@phantomraptor8851]

An ok explanation of proportional navigation. Misses a lot of fundamentals but aleast its mentioned and you didnt give the crappy “oh and the flight computer computes the intercept course” (which isnt informative and leaves people scratching their heads on HOW it achieves said task. PN = delta(global theta of target) * gain. Tpn which is better is TPN = delta(global theta of target * distance * gain. And so on. You have APN, EPN, ZEMAPN, ZEM, ZEMEPN. There are tons of formulas to calculate an optimal interception course.

[@brettorton2363]

🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓

[@phantomraptor8851]

@@brettorton2363 womp womp

[@Puddlewiggle]

Amused that you yourself posted a short featuring only the rollerator portion of the animation and pinned your own comment to the top admitting that the animation was backward... And so many have replied arguing with you about your own comment on your own animation. :)

[@cav89-]

I thought it knew where it is by 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.

[@jycannel4626]

“Ring of doom” 😂

[@Njazmo]

6:04 enemey

[@SF92923]

If the that Missile was chase me and I burn wood will the missile lose me and it will hit the wood ?lmao

[@frontline-visuals]

😂😂, they actually used to test the missile with a flashlight if it works correctly before launch, and it was said it used to lock-on to cigarettes when it was being developed in the office. But once it locks on to an aircraft it's not likely for a burning wood to fool it.

[@shellyoung2646]

[@Aliii0369]

10:55 The rotation is wrong. This animation is wrong if it turns like this. The turn in the flight becomes more helpful. The positioning angle of the gyroscope is also important, which was not mentioned. You are not an engineer, you are an animator

[@frontline-visuals]

The position of the gyro being important was mentioned when explaining the glass rotates because of the gyro, what you're talking about is the data that is returned back from the precession coils and gets processed which was also implied. This is not an engineering video, no one claimed it as such. This is an in-depth video of how the AIM-9 works. In a world where everyone consumes and produces brainrot, this is great content to make and also watch. At least I can research and animate this video while you are bitter about it cause you can't. Be a better human.

[@Aliii0369]

@frontline-visuals I also have a simulation channel and produce content. Your mentality is wrong because I criticized you and pointed out the scientific point that the animation was wrong. So, according to you, a good person is someone who is either silent or just encouraging whatever you give him?

[@frontline-visuals]

@@Aliii0369 We both know that your comment was a backhanded "criticism". You implied that I shouldn't make videos because I am not an engineer - other wise that statement was useless which also proves my point. But it all makes sense now. Since you put a lot of effort in your simulated content you think others should adhere to your standards, and that is very sad to say the least. But anyway I have had a lot of comments from far smarter people that mentioned what you said in a much more civil manner.

[@frontline-visuals]

@@Aliii0369 and please send me your channel so I can learn how it should be properly made.

[@Aliii0369]

@@frontline-visuals Whenever you even understand and correct your technical mistake, we will talk to each other again. Don't get sidetracked, you are a good animator and keep making videos but increase your understanding of engineering. me too

[@diogowalter2229]

And who knows? where the missile is

[@charlesballiet7074]

man it feels like people were just smarter and better designers up untill the 70's now it feels like rather than being clever everything is just brute forced with more processing power

[@barbaraperez1308]

AI Telly video ,i seen a smiler story we're China got the missile that failed to detonate

[@dominic412]

so the missile runs on black magic. okay I think I understand.

[@samuelboadas8333]

0:17 After 300 years americans still doesnt know what a billion is

[@VandalIO]

Is this true ?

[@alext8828]

Looks like "lock-on" time was beaten by the aim 4 and so was cost in key metrics. Liar!

[@frontline-visuals]

The "lock-on" TIME. is measured in TIME. the AIM-4 took a longer TIME while the AIM-9 took less TIME. and the COST is also MORE for the AIM-4 and less for the AIM-9. It's pretty straight forward to understand horizontal bar graphs. I don't see the reason to call me a liar for that.

[@ppaulino04]

​@frontline-visuals He can barely read it seems, don't let him bother you, nice video as always

[@s.porter8646]

Sorry...I do not want to see what's inside an AIM-9, that means I'm in it's envelope

[@Malc2169]

This video would have been perfect but for all the silly whooshing noises... 9.5 out of 10

[@frontline-visuals]

Yup, I was learning sound design back then. Looking at it retrospectively I can see how annoying some of them are. But I will take 9.5/10 everyday 😅

[@presidentoxford]

9.59 " Burn for 5 seconds "?? What bullshit.

[@frontline-visuals]

it's not, it used to be 2-2.5 in older models like the AIM-9B but since the D variation which is still pretty old, the upgraded motor rocket burns for 5 seconds. The AIM-9X is still classifier but around that ballpark.

[@bestamerica]

' oh no... stop watch at 017... not important to show about the currencys... better take off remove the currencys

[@charlieygreen8532]

$$1000,000,000 ,, worth of damage? Kamal Harris could learn aa things or two about spending 😅😅😅😅

[@revolutionarydefeatism]

The tracking system needs a more detailed explanation.