US Navy Unveils AIM-424 Malice Long-Range Missile to Counter China Threat
The US Navy has revealed the AIM-424 Malice, a new long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM) with a range exceeding 250 nautical miles, designed to counter advanced Chinese aerial threats. Developed by Raytheon, the missile will be integrated with US Marine Corps and Naval Aviation platforms, including F-35 stealth fighters. Analysts suggest its primary role is fleet air defense against Chinese bombers launching anti-ship cruise missiles. The missile’s operational service date remains classified, and its high cost signals a major shift in US naval strategy in the Pacific.
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US Navy's Half-Billion Dollar AIM-424-Malice Missile Aims to Counter China in the Pacific
The US Navy plans to deploy the new AIM-424-Malice missile to protect its carrier strike groups in the Pacific from Chinese anti-ship weapons. The missile, which costs half a billion dollars per round, reportedly contradicts current defense industry trends. The report, published by Die Welt on August 25, 2026, highlights the missile's role in countering Chinese naval threats and its significant cost, signaling a major shift in US naval defense strategy.
US Navy Unveils AIM-424 Malice Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile for F-35
The US Navy has revealed the AIM-424 Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM), nicknamed 'Malice,' a next-generation weapon designed to fit inside the internal weapons bay of F-35 stealth fighters. With a stated range of over 250 nautical miles (288 miles), it can threaten enemy aircraft from unprecedented distances. Developed by Raytheon, the 1,500-pound missile uses a solid-propellant rocket motor and blast-fragmentation warhead. The Pentagon is pushing for greater air-to-air reach as China fields increasingly long-range missiles like the PL-15 and PL-17. The Malice is intended for fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation aircraft, strengthening fleet defense and maintaining air domain overmatch. It is larger than the AIM-120 AMRAAM but lighter than the AIM-174B Gunslinger. The missile's service entry date is unclear, but it could prove advantageous for US airpower in the Western Pacific.
US Navy unveils AIM-424 Malice long-range air-to-air missile to counter China threat
The US Department of the Navy has unveiled the AIM-424 Malice, a new long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM) designed to enhance fleet defense and maintain aerial superiority against evolving threats, particularly from China. The missile, designated Air Intercept Missile-424, is intended for integration with US Marine Corps and Naval Aviation platforms from 4th to 6th generation aircraft. It features a solid-propellant rocket motor, blast fragmentation warhead, and a range exceeding 250 nautical miles (over 460 km). Measuring 4.11m in length with a 0.34m diameter, the missile weighs an estimated 680 kg. Raytheon has been selected as the contractor. Analysts suggest the missile is primarily meant for fleet air defense against Chinese bombers launching long-range anti-ship cruise missiles, rather than for air-to-air combat. The Navy aims to maintain a 'first look, first shot, first kill' advantage, though operational service dates and further technical details remain classified.