The
AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short ranged air to air
missile fitted to most
military combat aircraft that are
allied to the
US.
It has been in use since the late 1970s, and has been evolving constantly since then.
It is still in use today, indeed it is the weapon of choice for a short ranged engagement.
The maximum range is 9 Nautical Miles, and the minimum practical range is 2 Nautical Miles.
The warhead is designed to detonate in close proximity to the target aircraft, scattering it with high velocity tungsten cubes, approximately one centremetre across.