U.S. Air Force Seeks 1,000-Mile Long-Range Air-to-Air and Surface Missile
The U.S. Air Force is developing the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW), a modular missile with a minimum 1,000-nautical-mile range, targeting airborne and surface high-value assets like AWACS and tankers far behind enemy lines. A classified industry day is set for August 25-26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to solicit bids from both traditional and non-traditional vendors. This leap beyond existing AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-260 JATM aims to counter peer adversary long-range defenses, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater.
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Air Force solicits industry ideas for 1,000+ nautical mile range weapon
The U.S. Air Force is seeking industry proposals for a next-generation long-range weapon capable of reaching targets over 1,000 nautical miles. At an Industry Day hosted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, on August 25-26, vendors will be briefed on requirements for both air-to-air and air-to-surface variants of the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW). The weapon must be capable of striking targets in classified Defense Planning Scenarios 2.1 and 7.1. The Air Force is prioritizing All-up-round Solutions (vertically integrated missile systems) and Weapon System Integrator Solutions (master integrators managing subsystems and digital twin environments), both compliant with Weapons Open Systems Architecture and Government Reference Architecture. Multiple vendors may be selected for initial production rounds. Industry partners must express interest by July 24.
Air Force TimesUS Air Force Seeks Industry Ideas for 1,000+ Nautical Mile Long-Range Weapon
The U.S. Air Force has announced an Industry Day in late August to solicit ideas from traditional and non-traditional vendors for a next-generation long-range weapon known as the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW). The weapon must have a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles and be capable of engaging both air-to-air and air-to-surface targets, as defined by classified Defense Planning Scenarios 2.1 and 7.1. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center will host the two-day event at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The service is seeking either All-up-round Solutions, which are vertically integrated missile systems, or Weapon System Integrator Solutions, which act as master integrators for subsystems while ensuring compliance with Weapons Open Systems Architecture and Government Reference Architecture. Interested vendors must express intent by July 24, with follow-up one-on-one meetings scheduled for October and November.
Military TimesAir Force solicits ideas for long-range weapon with 1,000+ mile range
The U.S. Air Force is hosting an Industry Day on August 25-26, 2026, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to solicit proposals for a next-generation Long Range Weapon (AFLRW) with a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles. The weapon must have both air-to-air (A/A) and air-to-surface (A/S) variants, compliant with Weapons Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) and Government Reference Architecture (GRA). The Air Force seeks All-up-round Solutions (vertically integrated missile systems) and Weapon System Integrator Solutions (master integrators managing subsystems and digital twin environments). The initiative supports Defense Planning Scenarios 2.1 and 7.1, which are classified. Interested vendors must register by July 24. After the Industry Day, the Air Force will hold one-on-one meetings with vendors in October and November. The program is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
Air Force TimesAir Force seeks industry ideas for next-generation long-range weapon exceeding 1,000 nautical miles
The U.S. Air Force has announced an Industry Day for late August 2026 to solicit solutions from traditional and non-traditional vendors for a next-generation long-range weapon system, designated the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW). The weapon must have both air-to-air and air-to-surface variants and achieve a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles. The Air Force is seeking All-up-round Solutions (vertically integrated missile systems) and Weapon System Integrator Solutions (master integrators for modular components). Compliance with Weapons Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) and Government Reference Architecture (GRA) is required. The two-day event will be held at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, with vendors required to express interest by July 24. One-on-one meetings with Air Force commands will follow in October and November.
Military TimesAir Force Seeks Industry Ideas for Next-Generation Long-Range Weapon with 1,000+ Nautical Mile Range
The U.S. Air Force is hosting an Industry Day in late August at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to solicit ideas for the next-generation Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW) with a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles. The weapon system will have both air-to-air and air-to-surface variants, targeting classified Defense Planning Scenarios 2.1 and 7.1. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center may select multiple vendors for initial production rounds, requiring compliance with Weapons Open Systems Architecture (WOSA) and Government Reference Architecture (GRA). The service is seeking both all-up-round solutions (vertically integrated missile systems) and weapon system integrator solutions (master integrators managing subsystems and digital twin environments). Industry partners must express intent by July 24, with one-on-one meetings scheduled for October and November. The effort is led by the Air Force Materiel Command, with support from Air Combat Command and Air Force Global Strike Command.
Military TimesAir Force Launches Development of New 1,000-Nautical Mile Stand-Off Missile
The United States Air Force has initiated a new program to develop a stand-off missile with an extended range of 1,000 nautical miles (approximately 1,150 miles). This weapon would allow aircraft to engage targets from a significantly greater distance, enhancing survivability against advanced air defense systems. The effort marks a strategic shift towards longer-range precision strike capabilities, enabling operations from safer stand-off zones. The missile is expected to provide a critical capability for penetrating heavily defended enemy airspace without exposing manned aircraft to direct threats. While specific timelines and contractors are not yet detailed, the program signals a focus on maintaining air dominance and deterrence in highly contested environments.
RealClearDefense - HomepageAir Force Eyes New Stand-Off Missile with 1,000-Nautical Mile Range
The U.S. Air Force is initiating the development of a new stand-off missile, designated the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW), with a range of 1,000 nautical miles. A June 24 notice from the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center announced a classified industry event for late August at Eglin Air Force Base. The missile is intended for both air-to-air and air-to-surface missions, with an initial focus on the air-to-air variant. The service is open to both traditional and nontraditional defense vendors and prioritizes those capable of delivering a complete missile. The weapon must be able to strike targets in Defense Planning Scenarios 2.1 and 7.1. While the Air Force is pursuing low-cost munitions under the Family of Affordable Mass Missiles program, this new initiative signals a continued appetite for high-end, 'exquisite' weapons with extreme range, alongside increased procurement of existing systems like the AMRAAM and JATM.
Air & Space Forces MagazineAir Force Seeks New 1,000-Nautical Mile Range Missile for Air and Sea Targets
The United States Air Force has announced a requirement for a new long-range missile capable of striking both air and sea targets at a distance of 1,000 nautical miles. This development, reported by USNI News, signals an expansion of the Air Force's stand-off strike capabilities, potentially aimed at engaging high-value enemy assets from beyond the range of adversary air defenses. The missile would provide a significant increase in range over existing systems, allowing aircraft to launch strikes from safer distances. While specific technical details and timeline remain undisclosed in the summary, the move underscores the Pentagon's focus on long-range precision engagement, particularly in the Indo-Pacific theater, where vast distances between bases and targets pose operational challenges. The requirement aligns with the broader push by the US military to field longer-range weapons as part of its deterrence and power projection strategy.
"site:news.usni.org" - Google NewsUSAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With 1,000-Mile Range
The U.S. Air Force has announced plans for a new long-range missile dubbed the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW), with a required range of at least 1,000 nautical miles for both air-to-air and air-to-surface variants. A classified industry day is scheduled for August 25-26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where contractors will receive detailed requirements. The air-to-air variant would have roughly 10 times the range of the latest AIM-120 AMRAAM, making it capable of striking high-value aerial targets like tankers and airborne early warning aircraft far behind enemy lines. The program emphasizes modular components and open architecture. The Air Force seeks a Master Integrator to combine subsystems into a complete missile. This initiative represents a major leap beyond current programs like the AIM-260 JATM, which has far shorter range expectations.
TWZUSAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With 1,000-Mile Range
The U.S. Air Force is advancing plans for a new long-range missile, designated the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW), with a required range of at least 1,000 nautical miles for both air-to-air and air-to-surface variants. A classified industry day is scheduled for August 25-26 at Eglin Air Force Base to share requirements with defense contractors. The missile would have roughly ten times the range of the latest AIM-120 AMRAAM and would be optimized to strike high-value airborne assets like early warning aircraft, tankers, and command planes in defended rear areas. The program emphasizes modular components and open architecture, with potential multiple vendors selected for both variants. The initiative signals a major leap in U.S. air combat reach, potentially influenced by peer adversary long-range air defense systems.
TWZUSAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With A Whopping 1,000-Mile Range
The U.S. Air Force is planning to hold a classified industry meeting to solicit bids for a new air-to-air missile with a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles, roughly ten times the reach of the current AIM-120 AMRAAM. The weapon, designated the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW), also has an air-to-surface variant. The meeting will take place August 25-26 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, at the Secret classification level. The Air Force is seeking a 'Master Integrator' to combine modular components. The extreme range is intended to allow attacks on high-value targets such as airborne early warning aircraft, tankers, and other assets operating far behind enemy lines. The article notes this is a significant leap over existing and planned missiles like the AIM-260 JATM, and compares it to historical programs like the Cold War-era ASALM.
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