The U.S. Navy has deployed a new long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B, in the Indo-Pacific region. This missile, developed from the Raytheon SM-6 air defense missile, represents a significant advancement in the United States’ aerial capabilities, potentially neutralizing China’s advantage in long-range missile technology. Officially acknowledged in July (2024), the AIM-174B is the longest-range air-to-air missile ever fielded by the United States, offering a range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles).
The AIM-174B provides several key advantages over existing U.S. missiles, particularly the AIM-120 AMRAAM. With a range significantly greater than the AIM-120’s 150 kilometers (93 miles), the AIM-174B allows U.S. aircraft to engage targets from a much greater distance, reducing the risk to aircraft carriers and other high-value assets. This capability is particularly crucial in the contested airspace of the South China Sea, where U.S. Navy operations often bring them within close range of Chinese forces.
According to Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Taipei-based Association of Strategic Foresight, this new missile system enables the U.S. to launch long-range strikes on key Chinese military targets, such as command-and-control aircraft, from a safer distance. The increased range of the AIM-174B is expected to alter Chinese military behavior, forcing their aircraft to operate further from U.S. forces and potentially reducing the effectiveness of their anti-ship and air defense systems.
Responding to the Evolving Threat Landscape
For decades, the U.S. military relied on its superiority in stealth technology, with aircraft like the F-117, F-22, and F-35, to maintain air dominance. However, the development of China’s PL-15 missile, with a range of over 250 kilometers (155 miles), began to erode this advantage. The PL-15, when paired with China’s stealth fighters like the J-20, poses a substantial threat to U.S. and allied aircraft, as it allows Chinese jets to engage targets from beyond the reach of traditional U.S. missiles.
In response, the U.S. developed the AIM-174B to quickly address this gap in capability. This new missile, along with the secretive AIM-260 program led by Lockheed Martin, is part of a broader effort to maintain U.S. air superiority in the face of advancing Chinese military technology.
The introduction of the AIM-174B not only enhances the U.S. military’s operational capabilities but also has strategic implications for its alliances, particularly with Australia. The AIM-174B is compatible with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, operated by both the U.S. and Australian militaries. This compatibility underscores the importance of U.S.-Australia defense cooperation, especially in the context of Indo-Pacific security.
The versatility of the SM-6, from which the AIM-174B is derived, further expands its potential uses. Beyond its role as an air-to-air missile, the SM-6 has been used to engage ships, land targets, and incoming missiles, opening up possibilities for future developments, such as anti-radar capabilities that could target enemy air defense systems from long range.
Source: Reuters
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