US Navy reveals AIM-424 'Malice' very long-range air-to-air missile with range over 250 nm

Published Aug 23, 04:50 AM UTC

The U.S. Navy has disclosed the existence of the AIM-424 'Malice,' a new very long-range air-to-air missile (LRAAM) designed for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35C, and future F/A-XX fighter. Revealed at the Tailhook Association convention, the missile is a two-stage, solid-propellant weapon built by Raytheon, weighing 1,500 pounds and with a range exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 km). It is larger and longer-ranged than the AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-260 JATM, and likely sits between the AIM-260 and the AIM-174B in capability. The development is part of Pentagon efforts to close the air-to-air missile gap with China and achieve extreme-range (up to 1,000-mile) kill chains. The missile is already deep in testing, with images showing it on a Super Hornet and in an F-35C weapons bay.