F/A-18C Weapon Basic Course (DCS)

At the weapon stations 1, 2, 8 and 9 different AIM-9 variants can be loaded. These include the AIM-9L, AIM-9M, AIM-9X and CAP-9M (Captive AIM-9M Simulator for use during training).

AIM-9L

The AIM-9L was the first variant that allowed the acquisition of targets in the frontal hemisphere. It also has a revised warhead with an active laser proximity fuse.

AIM-9M

The AIM-9M is a revised AIM-9L with a reduced smoke rocket motor, revised electronics and better suppression of Infra-Red (IR) countermeasures.

AIM-9X

Finally, the AIM-9X. After the end of the Cold War and the German reunification it was found that the air-to-air missiles of the Eastern Bloc were much more effective than expected. To compensate for this superiority the development of the AIM-9X was started. Although the AIM-9X is assigned to the AIM-9 series by name, it is really a completely new development. However, some components of its predecessors are still used, e.g. the reduced smoke rocket motor and the warhead of the AIM-9M. Its advantages are reduced drag, better maneuverability, longer maximum detection range, better target differentiation between target and jamming, and a significantly increased angle of detection.

CAP-9M

The Captive Air Training Missile (CAP-9M) simulates the size and weight of a real rocket and is used for air combat training.

The combination of the carriers; LAU-115C with LAU-127 may be somewhat confusing. This is because an AIM-9 cannot be mounted directly to a LAU-115A/C. Either a double carrier is necessary or a LAU-127 is mounted in between.

Weapon Stations

Finally a list of which rocket can be attached to which station or carrier.
In SMS (Stores Management System) are used below.