AIR-TO-AIR MISSILES, VOLUME 1: Development and Combat Across 80 Years. Technology, Development and Operation

1-252641

First of six volumes detailing the 80-year history of air-to-air missiles (AAM) as combat aircraft weapons. Begins with the motivation for adopting such weapons, general description and capabilities of AAM, aircraft integration fundamentals and challenges, and how the missiles are employed. This is followed by a description of how AAM are developed as programs of a nation's military to include testing and fielding, and a description of the elements making up a missile to include the aircraft interface, the airframe, flight control and autopilot, the seeker head and guidance system, motor, warhead, and more. The various design choices for each of these elements are described, with advantages and disadvantages, and with diagrams to support understanding. Contains 46 black and white photos, 108 color photos, 24 color profiles, 54 diagrams, 10 tables, and 10 graphs.