Military AI Works

From AF Daily Report 11 Dec 09

X-tended Prowess: Raytheon announced Wednesday that it has demonstrated, once again, the ability to attack surface targets with the AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile that is in the inventory of the Air Force and Navy. During this test, which occurred Sept. 23 in the Gulf of Mexico, an Air Force F-16 fired an AIM-9X that sank a rapidly moving target boat, said the company. This was actually the third time that Raytheon says the sophisticated dogfight missile has engaged moving surface objects, building upon demonstrations against a maneuvering boat in April 2008 and a fast-moving ground vehicle in March 2007. "With a software upgrade, AIM-9X retains its air-to-air capabilities and gains an air-to-surface capability," at a "very affordable cost," said Harry Schulte, Raytheon's vice president of air warfare systems.

I seem to remember Randy Cunningham dispatched a truck using an AIM-9B in Vietnam.

that's pretty cool! got to love technology.

I think the Sidewinder can track just about anything. I was in F-14 squadron on the Kitty Hawk during the '84 cruise, and an Ordinance buddy of mine pulled the cone off of a Winder while we were getting the bird ready for launch, and he said, "Hey, do you feel like your being followed?" I looked up to see the seeker "staring" right at me, and followed me where ever I moved. Funny, but very spoooky