The AIM-120 has proven so successful, and is so ubiquitous globally, that rival nations such as China and Russia have developed their own BVR missiles.
A report in Breaking Defense indicates that the United States Air Force is requesting an additional $738 million to drastically expand the production capacity of the AIM-120 AMRAAM from the current 1,200 missiles per year to about 2,400 missiles by Fiscal Year (FY) 2028.
This is an obvious response to the fact that a variety of key weapons systems have been drastically depleted over the course of the last few years, between the demands placed upon America’s finite arsenals in the Ukraine War and the crises in the Middle East that have been occurring since the horrific Hamas attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023.
What to Know About the AIM-120 Missile
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) was introduced into the American arsenal in the late 1980s. It was developed to address the limitations of air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-7 Sparrow, which relied on semi-active radar homing and required the launching aircraft to maintain a radar lock on the target throughout the missile’s flight. This constraint limited the pilot’s maneuverability and situational awareness in dynamic combat scenarios.
By the late 1970s, the USAF identified the need for a next-generation missile capable of autonomous guidance, enabling “fire-and-forget” functionality. The result was the AMRAAM program, led by Hughes Aircraft (later acquired by Raytheon) and supported both by the Air Force and the US Navy. Development of this iconic missile began in 1979, with the goal of creating a missile that combined advanced radar guidance, extended range, and compatibility with a wide range of aircraft.
After rigorous testing, the AIM-120A entered operational service in 1991, just in time for its combat debut in Desert Storm. Over the decades, the AMRAAM has evolved through multiple variants, including the AIM-120B, C, and D, each incorporating improvements in range, guidance, and electronic countermeasures (ECM) resistance.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile designed to engage enemy aircraft at distances of up to 100 miles. Its key features include active radar homing that allows for the missile to independently track and engage targets after launch. This “fire-and-forget” capability frees the launching aircraft to maneuver or engage other threats, enhancing survivability and tactical flexibility.
More importantly is the versatility of this system. It is compatible with a host of warplanes, including the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, F/A-18 Hornet, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II. The missile has even been adapted for some non-US platforms, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and Saab Gripen. In that sense, it is a standard weapon across NATO and allied air forces.
An AIM-120 AMRAAM missile comes with an inertial navigation system (INS), coupled with mid-course updates via a two-way data link, ensuring precise targeting even against maneuvering or distant targets. The AIM-120D, for instance, incorporates GPS-assisted navigation and improved network-centric capabilities, enabling the missile to engage targets with greater accuracy in contested environments.
The AMRAAM’s solid-fuel rocket motor propels it to speeds exceeding Mach 4, with the AIM-120D boasting a range of 100 miles. This extended reach allows pilots to engage threats before entering the enemy’s own missile range, a critical advantage in BVR combat.
Can America Actually Double AIM Production?
This weapon has proven so successful, and is so ubiquitous globally, that rival nations such as China and Russia have developed their own BVR missiles, notably the R-77 and PL-15, in response to the AMRAAM’s dominance. This ongoing technological competition drives innovation, but also highlights the AMRAAM’s role in shaping the global air combat landscape.
Things are getting dicey, though, for this mighty missile. The proliferation of advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems and stealth technology requires continuous upgrades to maintain its edge. Additionally, the high cost of the missile—approximately $1 million per unit—poses budgetary constraints. To address these issues, Raytheon is exploring cost-reduction measures and developing complementary systems, such as the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which promises even greater range and performance.
America is clearly committed to the AIM-120—seeing as the Air Force is requesting a massive amount of money in its next budget to procure more than double its normal amount of missiles. Whether this is a worthwhile investment, or whether America’s ailing defense industrial base can even meet this new demand, is another matter entirely. Nevertheless, the system’s high demand is a key indicator of its continued effectiveness.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Trygve Finkelsen.
