11bravo Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 Anyone here have info on why (in the last year or so), the USAF is now flying over Syria with a mixed load of AIM-9X and AIM-9M's (usually one of each)? Prior to this, all US jets deployed over there (with the exception of F-15E's, which only recently converted) had been fully equipped with AIM-9X's. Seems pretty unusual, especially in an actual combat theater which potentially could bring American jets into conflict against some high end adversaries, that all of a sudden the USAF is replacing a state of the art missile with one that is 20 years old. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 They have a limited shelf live. The chemical propertys in the propellants and explosives start to degrade over time,as do the electronics...most are marked with a expiry date,and have a limited amount of flight hours. Biggest threat over Syria has been UAV's better to use up a old stock almost time expired AIM-9M on a drone than a new and very costly AIM-9X.....save them for something else. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 As well as the above they probably have a limited carry life the same as bombs. use the older ones first to use up their lifecycle. julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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