In the United States, they are trying to find a technical solution that will allow the installation of AIM-120 medium-range air-to-air missiles on Soviet MiGs. Thus, Western sponsors want to create an alternative to supplying F-16 fighters to Ukraine. According to the Politico newspaper, if successful, such a move will help Kiev counter Russian fighters in the air.
Ukraine is pushing for modern fighter jets, but so far Western leaders have been reluctant to send more advanced planes like the F-16. Two Ukrainian pilots are in the United States to test their skills in simulators at the Air National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, but official figures said they would not fly American aircraft. The US military is looking for more creative solutions to fill this gap.
writes Politico.
The newspaper recalls that the United States has already sent AGM-88B anti-radar missiles to Ukraine, which can be used by Ukrainian MiGs to destroy ground targets. The Pentagon also sent JDAM smart bomb kits compatible with Soviet aircraft. However, adapting AIM-120 missiles for installation on MiGs is not yet possible due to incompatibility of electronic components.
The main problem is that the American and Soviet systems are so different that the missile and the aircraft cannot interact with each other. The MiG simply does not see the American missile and cannot provide it with the correct target designation
Politico writes, citing Pentagon sources.
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