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Both AIM-120 & AIM-7 missiles need that the attacking aircraft switch Radar ON and illuminates the target, right? The main difference is that AIM-7 requires that the radar is kept ON after being fired and the attacker aircraft continues the trajectory to the target, while the AIM-120 one can switch off radar and turns back to the base, as it is fire and forget weapon, correct?

The later models of the 120 are CEC capable so another aircraft with can collaboratively give it its initial guidance data. The chance of a hit are increased if the illumination is maintained.

thanks so you mean you dont even need to illuminate (radar on) the target when firing it?

ORIGINAL: fulcrum28

thanks so you mean you dont even need to illuminate (radar on) the target when firing it?

That's correct, so long as the launch platform or another CEC-capable platform has a target track without uncertainty.

Just be aware that in CMO, if a jet doesn't have its radar on and you have the "Aircraft obeys EMCON" (or whatever it says in the sensor panel) ticked, it will turn its radar on to fire the AMRAAM. If you have that box unticked, it can still launch without turning its radar on (again, so long as the target is being accurately tracked), but it's just a default behaviour.