NWC Advanced Common Intercept Missile (ACIMD)

[overscan (PaulMM)]

Often mentioned in relation to AAAM / AIM-152, this is actually the NWC (Naval Weapons Center) ACIMD, which was a prototype of a long range AAM concept.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

ADVANCED COMMON INTERCEPT MISSILE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM (ACIMD)

The ACIMD program is a new start for FY-81. The general goals of this program are to design, build, and flight test a ramjet powered air-to-air missile. The principle objectives for the aerodynamics portion of the program are to: define the preliminary drag and lift based on prior Airbreathing Missile studies, use the propulsion system determined from the preliminary studies to determine an external configuration and aerodynamics of this configuration, and use wind-tunnel results and predictions to document the aerodynamics of the final configuration in preparation for a flight test program.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NAVY AEROBALLISTICS COMMITTEE TO THE NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND AND THE NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND FOR 1981

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA112830.pdf

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

See https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/nwc-mcdonnell-douglas-aiaam-study.42821 and https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/aim-152-aaam-phoenix-replacement-projects.2548 for related topics.

 

[NMaude]

Is there a link to any website and/or document(s) that go into detail on this study? I checked over at the wikipedia and while there's a mention in some articles there's no article on the study itself.

 

[overscan (PaulMM)]

NASA-TM-84557 Aerodynamic characteristics of a series of single-inlet air-breathing missile configurations

Two tail configurations were investigated: a tri-tail and an X-tail. The tests included body-inlet, body-inlet-wing, body-inlet-tail, and body-inlet-wing-tail
configurations.

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19830010395

 

[isayyo2]

China Lake's Picture of Us series covers ACIMD, among other missile projects. Highly recommend to binge!

A still taken from the video shows an F-15 carrying ACIMD on Station 8

 

[TomS]

A still taken from the video shows an F-15 carrying ACIMD on Station 8

Interesting load. Seems to show some sort of cluster bomb (SUU-30 dispenser I think) on multi racks on the shoulder stations, coupled with this extended range AAM. Was there any hint that ACIMD might come in an ARM version? This feels like an advanced Wild Weasel load.

 

[MarineEngineer]

Does anyone have more detailed information about the relationship between China Lake's ACIMD and Hughes/Raytheon/McDonnell Douglas's AAAM/AIM-152? Were there any tech or engineer transfers? They seem very similar even in some small details.

 

[TomS]

I

Does anyone have more detailed information about the relationship between China Lake's ACIMD and Hughes/Raytheon/McDonnell Douglas's AAAM/AIM-152? Were there any tech or engineer transfers? They seem very similar even in some small details.

I believe that Hughes (etc) were doing the work on ACIMD for China Lake. The cancellation of ACIMD and the launch of the AAAM effort was basically a way to have a competition rather than just sole-sourcing it. So yes, their proposal is essentially ACIMD polished up.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Interesting load. Seems to show some sort of cluster bomb (SUU-30 dispenser I think) on multi racks on the shoulder stations, coupled with this extended range AAM. Was there any hint that ACIMD might come in an ARM version? This feels like an advanced Wild Weasel load.

The ramjet missile would make for a very nice long range ARM. Maybe not as fast as HARM, but longer range and/or possible loiter time.