The US Navy's next-gen missile breaks cover. It fits inside an F-35 and can threaten enemy aircraft over 280 miles away.
The Pentagon is pushing for greater air-to-air reach as China fields increasingly long-range missiles.
The US Navy has revealed a next-generation air-to-air missile, the AIM-424 Malice, which can engage enemy aircraft from a distance of more than 280 miles. This missile can be stored inside the F-35 stealth fighter jets, allowing the aircraft to maintain its stealth capabilities. The development of this missile comes as the Pentagon aims to enhance air-to-air reach to counter China's long-range missiles.
The AIM-424 Malice is designed to be compatible with fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation aircraft, and it weighs 1,500 pounds. It is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor and features a blast-fragmentation warhead. The Navy intends to use this missile to strengthen fleet defense and maintain a decisive air domain overmatch against advanced threats.
The missile is currently under testing, and its exact service date remains uncertain. However, the Malice's extended range could prove advantageous for American airpower as the US military seeks to counter China in the Western Pacific.
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