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An AIM-424 Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM) is mounted in the internal weapons bay of an F-35C with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) mounted on the weapon bay door.
RENO, Nevada—The U.S. Navy is developing and currently flight testing a new long-range air-to-air missile that will far exceed the capabilities of the current AIM-120 and likely the recently disclosed AIM-174B as well.
The new AIM-424 “Malice” air-to-air missile is being developed for the F/A-18, the F-35 and F/A-XX. The missile was announced at the Tailhook Symposium here Aug. 22.
A Navy spokesperson in a statement said the next-generation Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM) is intended to strengthen fleet defense “and maintain a decisive air domain overmatch against advanced threats.”
“Also known as Malice, the LRAAM directly supports the Department's contribution to integrated deterrence by increasing range, lethality, and combat effectiveness for Marine and Naval Aviation forces that are defending our fleets, our interests, and our homeland. Further details regarding specific capabilities and deployment timelines remain classified to protect operational security,” the Navy says.
RTX President Phil Jasper in a statement said strengthening fleet defense and maintaining air superiority is essential against emerging long-range air-to-air threats.
“Our Advanced Technology team’s approach is at the core of doing just that with the development of the AIM-424,” Japser says. “With increased range, lethality, and combat effectiveness for naval forces, the AIM-424 delivers a generational leap in air dominance combat capability that can outrange any threat.”
Specifics of the two-stage missile are classified. Imagery appears similar to the AIM-174B in size—much larger than the AIM-120.
The concept for the AIM-424 may have been in development for more than a decade. In 2017, a senior defense official revealed the Long Range Engagement Weapon (LREW) concept during a defense industry conference—one of several possible concepts potentially related to the AIM-424. A presentation slide revealed a concept for a two-stage air-to-air missile launched from the internal weapons bay of a stealth aircraft.
"Budget documents in the fiscal 2017 spending request said that the LREW concept had completed a successful, two-year demonstration, and the technology was being transitioned to the services.
The Navy is under pressure to increase the reach of its striking power from the aircraft carrier. China has fielded air-launched anti-ship ballistic missiles and cruise missiles with ranges of more than 1,000 nm, which requires the Navy to respond with a weapon that can put the missile-carrying aircraft at risk.
The development comes as the Navy and Air Force are preparing to field the new Lockheed Martin-developed AIM-260 Joint Tactical Missile.
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