The US Navy has recently made operational a new long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B, designed to extend the reach of its fighter aircraft in potential conflicts with China.
According to Business Insider, this new weapon is seen as a major upgrade to the US arsenal, boasting a longer range than other air-to-air missiles currently in use.
The AIM-174B, an air-launched variant of the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), was spotted on US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets during the Rim of the Pacific Exercise in July. This deployment marks a significant step in addressing the growing concern over China's advancements in beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile technology.
US Navy's Response To Chinese Missile Advancements
The development of the AIM-174B comes as a direct response to China's progress in long-range air-to-air missile technology. Beijing's efforts in this area, particularly with weapons like the PL-15 and PL-17, have caused concern in Washington and prompted the US to enhance its own capabilities.
China's PL-15 missile, which was developed as an answer to the US AIM-120D Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), is reported to have better performance characteristics than its American counterpart. This disparity in missile capabilities has been a driving factor in the US Navy's pursuit of the AIM-174B.
The new American missile is expected to give US Navy carrier air wings the ability to engage Chinese air force and naval aviation aircraft at greater distances than previously possible. This extended range could potentially close the gap that has existed between US and Chinese air-to-air missile capabilities.
Capabilities And Strategic Implications Of The AIM-174B
The AIM-174B is believed to have impressive capabilities, drawing from its ship-launched counterpart, the SM-6 (RIM-174). The SM-6 has a reported range of up to 230 miles and has already seen combat use against Houthi forces. As an air-to-air weapon, the AIM-174B brings these extended-range capabilities to bear in new ways.
In a potential conflict scenario with China, the AIM-174B could prove most valuable in disrupting China's kill chain - the process by which targets are identified, targeted, and destroyed.
Specifically, the missile could be used to target Chinese airborne early warning and control aircraft that play a crucial role in setting up these kill chains.
Additionally, the extended range of the AIM-174B gives American aircraft the ability to target rear assets, such as Chinese bombers and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance aircraft. This capability significantly enhances the US Navy's strategic options in potential conflict scenarios.
Challenges And Future Developments In Air-To-Air Missile Technology
While the AIM-174B represents a significant advancement, it also comes with certain challenges. The missile's size and weight - estimated to be about five times that of the AIM-120D - may impact the performance of the Super Hornets carrying it, potentially affecting their top speed and altitude capabilities.
Despite these challenges, the very existence of the AIM-174B could serve as a deterrent. As noted by Justin Bronk, a RUSI airpower expert:
Deterrence is about affecting your opponent's calculations, so in some ways, there's inevitably going to be a degree of ambiguity.
The development and deployment of the AIM-174B is not expected to be the end of advancements in air-to-air missile technology. Both the US and China continue to work on next-generation systems, with the US already developing the AIM-260 as a future long-range air-to-air missile.
Conclusion
The AIM-174B represents a significant advancement in US air-to-air missile technology, designed to counter China's growing capabilities in this area. It extends the reach of US Navy fighter jets and provides new strategic options in potential conflict scenarios. While challenges remain, the missile's deployment signals the US Navy's commitment to maintaining air superiority in the Indo-Pacific region. As both nations continue to develop their missile technologies, the balance of power in air-to-air combat capabilities remains a key area of focus in US-China military competition.
