Not that I have any opinion on the validity of the reported incident, but it's way easier to say the other guy's jammer spoofed your missile than to admit that you suck and pooched away your shot.
Its not my problem “witch is easier to say or admit”. I dont care.
If a missile strike the target or not, depends on a large number of factors. First, if the target is outgoing, which means punching his rocket and then disengage immediately –witch by the way this is the tactic- is quite difficult for the rocket to hit its target regardless the aircraft has a self protection package or not. The best chance for a missile to reach its target is when this is forthcoming.
I heard (second hand) that if an AMRAAM were jammed, it would then home in on the source of the jamming emission.
This is true. AMRAAM has a HOJ capability. But the jammer, of the French self protection system ICMS has also other modes such as the “deception” mode, which is designed to mislead the upcoming rocket regarding the position of the target and not actually blind it. Now as far it concern the actuall HOJ capabilities its not known the distance at which the HOJ mode can start to lead the rocket to its target. I think that the HOJ starts to employ from the moment that the active seeker of the missile is on. Before that the missile moves inertially with navigational data from the radar of the aircraft. But if the aircraft radar “blinded” by the other’s guys jammer it may not be in position to provide accurate data about the target’s location and therefore for the missile to reach the position where the active seeker or HOJ will employ and guide the AMRAAM in an autonomous operation to its target.
PS
Sorry about my poor English. Im still working on it to improve them.
