Which of the following best describes the AIM-120 missile?

The AIM-120 missile is best described as a radar-guided air-to-air missile, making it an advanced weapon used by air superiority fighters for engaging aerial targets. The AIM-120, also known as the AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile), relies on its active radar seeker to locate and engage enemy aircraft at various ranges, allowing for engagement beyond visual range, which enhances the tactical capabilities of the aircraft that deploy it.

The missile is specifically designed to operate in high-performance air combat situations, drawing on advancements in guidance technologies to strike evasive targets effectively. Its capability to lock onto a target after being launched makes it particularly versatile in engaging multiple aircraft while minimizing the risk to the launching platform.

This characteristic sets it apart from precision-guided bombs that typically rely on laser or GPS guidance for ground targets, as well as from laser-guided missiles focused on ground strikes. Additionally, ballistic missiles are designed for long-range systems targeting ground installations and do not operate within the same tactical air combat framework as the AIM-120.