| Primary Function | Air Intercept Missile (AIM) |
| Power Plant | Hercules and Bermite Mk 36 Model 11 |
| Length | 9 feet, 5 inches (2.87 meters) |
| Diameter | 5 inches (0.13 meters) |
| Finspan | 2 feet, 3/4 inches |
| Guidance System | Solid-state, infrared homing system |
| Warhead | Annular blast/fragmentation warhead |
| Launch Weight | 190 pounds (85.5 Kg) |
| Speed | Mach 2.5 |
| Range | 10 to 18 miles depending on altitude |
The AIM-9 has a cylindrical body with a roll-stabilizing rear wing/rolleron assembly. Also, it has detachable, double-delta control surfaces behind the nose that improve the missile's maneuverability. Both rollerons and control surfaces are in a cross-like arrangement. The missile's main components are an infrared homing guidance section, an active optical target detector, a high-explosive warhead and a rocket motor. The infrared guidance head enables the missile to home in on target aircraft engine exhaust. An infrared unit costs less than other types of guidance systems, and can be used in day/night and electronic countermeasures conditions. The infrared seeker also permits the pilot to launch the missile, then leave the area or take evasive action while the missile guides itself to the target. This missile was designed to intercept and destroy enemy fighter planes such as the MIG-21 Fishbed the MIG-29 Fulcrum and the SU-27 Flanker while dog fighting, however it is now carried by attack helicopters as well as fighter planes.
