The first batch of AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air
missiles (AMRAAM) that the United States agreed in 2000 to sell to
Taiwan is scheduled to be delivered in the near future, military
sources said yesterday.
The U.S. government has recently agreed to allow the Taiwan order -
some 200 AIM-120 missiles - to be delivered in a bid to beef up
Taiwan's defensive capabilities in the face of heightening military
threats from across the Taiwan Strait, the sources said.
If everything goes smoothly, the Republic of China Air Force is
expected to receive the long-awaited U.S.-made AIM-120 missiles in
one to two months as shipping transportation and related affairs
have begun to be arranged, the sources said.
The AIM-120 missiles are expected to be installed on F-16 jet
fighters - which are part of Taiwan Air Force's backbone - once
they are delivered, and test firing is scheduled to begin early
next year, the sources said.
Taiwan Air Force fighter pilots have been in the United States for
training which includes practice in firing AIM-120 missiles.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a new generation air-to-air missile. A guided
missile, it has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and
active radio frequency target detection.
A follow-up to the AIM-7 Sparrow missile series, the AMRAAM is
compatible with the U.S. F-15, F-16 and developmental F-22, as well
as the German F-4 and the British Sea Harrier aircraft.
The missile is faster, smaller and lighter, and has improved
capabilities against low-altitude targets. It incorporates an
active radar with an inertial reference unit and micro-computer
system.
http://www.etaiwannews.com/World/2003/07/14/1058145352.htm