Although originally developed for the USN and a competitor to the USAF AIM-4 Falcon, the Sidewinder was subsequently introduced into USAF service when DoD directed that the F-4 Phantom be adopted by the USAF. The Air Force originally borrowed F-4B model Phantoms, which were equipped with AIM-9B Sidewinders as the short-range armament. The first production USAF Phantoms were the F-4C model, which carried the AIM-9B Sidewinder. The Air Force opted to carry only AIM-4 Falcon on their F-4D model Phantoms introduced to Vietnam service in 1967, but disappointment with combat use of the Falcon led to a crash effort to reconfigure the F-4D for Sidewinder carriage. The USAF nomenclature for the Sidewinder was the GAR-8 (later AIM-9E). During the 1960s the USN and USAF pursued their own separate versions of the Sidewinder, but cost considerations later forced the development of common variants beginning with the AIM-9L.
Specifications Primary Function Air-to-air missile Contractor Naval Weapons Center Power Plant Hercules and Bermite Mk 36 Mod 71, 8 solid-propellant rocket motor Thrust Classified Speed Supersonic Mach 2.5 Range 10 to 18 miles depending on altitude Length 9 feet, 5 inches (2.87 meters) Diameter 5 inches (0.13 meters) Finspan 2 feet, 3/4 inches (0.63 meters) Warhead Annular blast fragmentation warhead 25 lbs high explosive for AIM-9H 20.8 lbs high explosive for AIM-9L/M Launch Weight 190 pounds (85.5 kilograms) Guidance System Solid-state, infrared homing system Introduction Date 1956
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