The missile seeker used a Lead Sulfide photodetector that was sensitive to the IR spectrum. It used a dichronic filter and an absorption filter to pass the desired infrared wavelengths. After the IR light is filtered, a rotating reticle is used to determine the off-axis position of the target. The AIM-9R program developed a CCD imaging seeker, but the program was cancelled. Early versions didn’t need reference gyros, it only needed a seeker platform. The seeker optics rotated, and were mounted on a gimbal that was controlled through electromagnets. The early seekers could pick out ground targets such as train locomotives. Filco and GE both were awarded production contracts for the sidewinder guidance systems. Smaller Ogive noses with smaller IR sensors were designed for the sidewinder but ended up being used in the RedEye program. The Navy D/G/H models use a gas-cooled sensor, while the Air Force E/J models use thermoelectric cooling.[^4]
The D,G, and H variants used the seeker reticle shown below.
The image below is of a display missile at the PAX River Museum.
[[Dichronic Filter]]
[[Absorbtion Filter]]
[[Rotating Reticle Seeker]]
[[AGM-62 Walleye Guidance System]] – used gimbaled seeker developed from the sidewinder program
Backlinks
[[AIM-9 Sidewinder]]
[[CCD Sensors]]
[[Cooled Thermal Detectors]]
[[Infrared Seeker]]
Sources
[1] D. Perrier, “Fox Two — Infrared Missile Target Tracking,” Medium. Accessed: Jan. 27, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://medium.com/@OpenSeason/1946-germany-has-been-defeated-and-its-military-technology-put-under-the-microscope-the-west-e60b82926b40
[2] BalticaBeer, The Pursuit of Precision. AGM-62 Walleye The TV-Guided Glide Bomb, (Aug. 08, 2020). Accessed: Mar. 27, 2023. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPgVsz_TnkE
[3] BalticaBeer, To the Sea, a Sidewinder 50 years of snakes on the wing. AIM-9 Sidewinder missile history., (Aug. 02, 2020). Accessed: Mar. 29, 2023. [Online Video]. Available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWkMS7msV5Y
[4] “DT-Missile-Survey-May-05.pdf.” Accessed: Jun. 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.ausairpower.net/SP/DT-Missile-Survey-May-05.pdf
[5] D. E. J. Heikell, “HELICOPTER EW SELF-PROTECTION”.