There were 5x AIM-120 AMRAAM shots during Op ALLIED FORCE against MiG29 (1x Dutch F16 and 4x US F15) from 24-26 Mar 99 and then a further MiG 29 kill by a US F15 in May 99.
There were also BVR engagements on Op SOUTHERN WATCH over Iraq - some kinematically defeated by target manoeuvre at range. Indeed, but for around 5-10 miles I might have got a shot away against an Iraqi MiG23 from a Tornado F3 in 99 but as we locked him and made the Late Arm live the Iraqi quite wisely did a 180 degree turn and fled back over the No Fly Zone boundary. There were several Coalition BVR 'engagements' like this during that time - you don't have to shoot them down to provide an effective sweep for the bomber package.
IIRC F15s and F14s fired on Iraqi MiGs in early 99 and all were defeated by manoeuvre. Then in Sep 99 an F14 fired against a MiG23 that was also defeated by manoeuvre. Then in Dec 02 a USAF MQ-1 traded shots with an Iraqi MiG25 - both outside 'visual range' (although the Predator used an EO/IR sensor that is superior to the human eye) - sadly the MQ-1 Predator's Stinger missile guided to the MiG25's contrail and the MiG25's missile was a hit and killed the MQ-1.
Since Iraq, we have not fought anything against a credible air threat and so BVR engagement opportunities are somewhat limited. The Taliban haven't saved up for a MiG 29 yet!
Libya could have provided an opportunity and hotspots like Iran or Syria could in the future.
LJ
Last edited by Lima Juliet; 28th Dec 2012 at 09:31.