American air-to-air missile, development started in 1969. Program cancelled in 1975.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Hughes AIM-95 Agile

The AIM-95A Agile was developed by the Naval Weapons Center in China Lake between 1968 and 1975. It was designed as an advanced short-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Agile featured an infrared seeker with high off-boresight lock-on capability, was powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor, and used thrust vectoring for control.

When the USAF cancelled its AIM-82 missile project, Agile was intended to be used for both Air Force and Navy aircraft. The AIM-95A reached the flight test stage, but Agile was cancelled in 1975 as being too expensive. As a short-term replacement, USAF and Navy eventually fielded improved versions of the AIM-9 Sidewinder. For a long term solution, the new ASRAAM (Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile) program was begun, which would lead to the AIM-132 missile project.

Unfortunately, none of my sources include data about the physical characteristics of the AIM-95A.

[1] Norman Friedman: "US Naval Weapons", Conway Maritime Press, 1983
[2] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979
[3] R.T. Pretty, D.H.R. Archer (eds.): "Jane's Weapon Systems 1972-73", Jane's, 1973

Manufacturer: NWC/Hughes. Total Mass: 135 kg (297 lb). Core Diameter: 0.21 m (0.68 ft). Total Length: 2.44 m (8.00 ft). Span: 0.30 m (0.98 ft). Maximum range: 6.50 km (4.00 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Infrared Homing. Development Cost $: 74.000 million. in: 1972 average dollars.