AIM-9 Sidewinder

The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a short-range air-to-air missile developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s. Entering service in 1956, variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces after five decades. The United States Air Force purchased the Sidewinder after the missile was developed by the United States Navy at China Lake, California. It is one of the most widely used missiles in the world, equipping most western-aligned air forces and, through the K-13 version, many former Soviet-aligned forces as well.