ASRAAM Makes First Flight on Australian Hornet

Two years ago, Asian Aerospace news included the Royal Australian Air Force's commitment to the Matra BAe Dynamics ASRAAM advanced short-range air-to-air missile. Flight trials have now begun of inert missiles on the wingtips of a Boeing F/A-18 Hornet of the Aerospace Research and Development Unit, prior to it being issued to the RAAF's three Hornet squadrons. ASRAAM, which is also being acquired for the Royal Air Force, will replace the venerable AIM-9 Sidewinder.