Anall-aspectair-to-air missile can track a target no matter which way the target faces relative to the missile. In other words, an all-aspect missile can be launched against a target not only in atail-chase engagement, but also in ahead-on engagement, in a side-on engagement, from above, from below, etc.
This is opposed to olderinfrared homing rear aspect missiles which were only able to track the hot engine exhaust of an aircraft if the aircraft's engine exhaust was pointing towards the missile seeker, and thus were only successfully used in tail-chase engagements.
Examples include the USAIM-9 Sidewinder (AIM-9L and later), the RussianVympel R-73 and the IsraeliRafael Advanced Defense SystemsPython 5 air-air/ground-air missile.[1]
