![]() ![]() All we know for certain is that, because this weapon is expected to offer similar dimensions to the AMRAAM, it should be easily stowed within the weapons bays of stealth fighters like the F-35 and F-22. To date, the full range, propulsion type, or capability set expected to be offered by this missile all remain classified. The joint Air Force and Navy JATM development effort was first disclosed in 2019, though few details have surfaced since. Seeing as the AMRAM is already capable of reaching targets in triple-digit ranges, this advanced new replacement is expected to offer a significant leap in capability over the PL-15, renewing America’s beyond-visual-range advantage. Slated to replace the long-serving AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AIM-260 is expected to be about the same size, but with a significant increase in range meant to offset the reach of China’s much-touted PL-15 radar-guided air-to-air missile, which has a claimed range of around 124 miles. The AIM-260 JATM is perhaps the highest-profile new air-to-air missile in development for the United States. While this missile has reportedly scored kills against Ukrainian jets, it’s safe to say Russia has exaggerated some of this weapon’s capabilities.Īrtist render of F-22 Raptor firing a new air-to-air missile that may be an AIM-260. In other words, it’s launched well before locking onto its target and is guided through a portion of its flight path until it’s close enough to lock on with its own internal systems. The missile can reportedly reach targets at such immense ranges through a combination of a data-link with the launching aircraft and its own internal semi-active and active radar guidance systems. The R-37 itself has a reported range of more than 90 miles, which is short of the range offered by America’s AMRAAM, but the R-37M variant adds an additional rocket booster stage, extending its effective range potentially as far as 250 miles ( 400 kilometers). Russia’s R-37, NATO reporting name AA-13 “Axehead,” is a beyond-visual-range hypersonic air-to-air missile with a reported top speed of somewhere between Mach 5 and 6 - accomplished via brute force using dual-pulse rocket propulsion. In fact, despite being considered a “medium-range” air-to-air missile, the AMRAAM reportedly scored the longest air-to-air kill in history against a BQM-167 target drone during air combat exercises held in March of 2021 (though the exact distance has still not been released). With 50% more range than its predecessor, a two-way datalink with the launching aircraft, a GPS-enhanced Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), and high off-boresight launch capabilities, the most modern AMRAAM is still ranked among the most capable air-to-air missiles on the planet today. The latest AMRAAM, the AIM-120D, reached initial operating capability in 2015 and represents a massive leap in capability over the original weapon. Of course, it would be a mistake to assume these missiles are still the same weapons that were first fielded decades ago. An F-35A Lightning II executed its first live-fire launch of a guided air-to-air missile (AIM-120 AMRAAM) over a military test range off the California coast on Oct.
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