US unleashes ‘Malice’: F-35C gets a 463-km air-to-air strike reach

The US Navy has introduced a new very-long-range air-to-air missile called AIM-424, also known as Malice, which is designed to fit into the F-35C's internal weapons bay. This missile could potentially extend the stealth fighter's reach to over 463 kilometers against airborne targets, without sacrificing its low-observable configuration.

Raytheon developed the AIM-424, which is larger and heavier than the AIM-120 AMRAAM currently used by the F-35C. The Navy states that the AIM-424 has a range of more than 250 nautical miles (463 km). The missile uses a solid-propellant rocket motor and employs both active radar guidance and inertial guidance before the terminal phase of an intercept.

The AIM-424 represents a new class of very-long-range air-to-air missiles. While the exact maximum range of the latest AIM-120 variants remains classified, publicly available estimates suggest that they fall well short of the Navy's stated range for the Malice. The new missile's photographs demonstrate its potential for internal carriage inside the F-35C's weapons bay, alongside an existing AIM-120.

This development could significantly expand the F-35C's air-to-air engagement envelope, allowing the aircraft to detect and engage targets at much greater distances while maintaining its stealth capabilities. The AIM-424's key advantage is its combination of very long range and internal carriage, potentially enabling the F-35C to threaten airborne targets from farther away without compromising its stealth advantage.

While Russia and China have pursued similar capabilities for their stealth fighters, the AIM-424's unique combination of very-long range and internal carriage gives the US Navy an edge. The significance of this development goes beyond the missile's range, as it allows the F-35C to leverage its advanced sensors and network connectivity in a more potent way by acting as a shooter within a wider combat network.