AIM-120C-7 Active Radar Homing Air-Air Missile

The AIM-120C-7 also known as P3I Phase 3 is a direct successor to AIM-120C-6 which is a seeker improvement for the AIM-120C-5, which is the famous upgrade that shortened the control section which freed up space for a better motor. The AIM-120C-7 features a further improved seeker, better ECCM as well as a longer range. It was requested by the US Navy as a stopgap measure as the planned retirement of the F-14D Tomcat and the AIM-54C Phoenix in 2007 would have left a gap in long-range air defense. It is currently unknown how the AIM-120C-7 has an increase in range over the AIM-120C-6. The AIM-120C-7 was successfully tested against combat-realistic targets in August and September 2003, and IOC was then planned for 2004. This has slipped somewhat, but as of early 2006, the AIM-120C-7 has begun to be fielded.