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The AIM-9 Sidewinder's warhead uses an expanding-rod design. Detonating an explosive inside a cylinder of welded rods causes them to scissor outwards, creating a cutting disc to damage aircraft engines.
- ✈️ The AIM-9B was the first heat-seeking missile deployed in the 1950s.
- ⚙️ Early Sidewinders used 'rollerons' on the fins for passive roll stabilization, spinning at over 100,000 RPM.
- 💥 The expanding-rod warhead is designed to damage engines by creating a torus-shaped cutting charge.
- 🚀 Newer versions like the AIM-9X use thrust vector control for maneuverability instead of rollerons.
A close-up view of an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile attached to the wing of an F-18 aircraft, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.