Subsequent to the decision regarding the defence program “Propelled Short-Range Effector” for the German combat jet TORNADO, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) received an order to carry out the remaining development work on the Laser-Guided Sidewinder (LaGS) and to procure 300 LaGS guided missiles for the German Air Force.
LaGS is an offspring of the Sidewinder AIM-9L family adapted to air-to-ground missions for combat aircraft. Replacement of the Sidewinder seeker in the guidance and control section by a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker provides for covering new mission scenarios by a missile already integrated in numerous combat jets without the need to reintegrate it at considerable expense.
Based on its technical characteristics and accuracy, LaGS is capable of engaging stationary and moving targets in urban scenarios beyond adversaries´ air defences. The guided missile is scheduled to enter the German Air Force´s inventory by the end of 2018.
