The AIM-174B missile’s range can keep legacy American aircraft relevant for years to come—and give fifth-generation ones a decisive advantage over their Russian and Chinese counterparts.
The AIM-174B air-to-air missile is the “new kid on the block” when it comes to air-to-air missiles. Developed from an existing air defense munition used by Navy warships, the AIM-174B promises to change the battlefield.
The AIM-174B Missile Is Far More Powerful than Its Predecessors
The first thing to understand about the AIM-174B is its enormous size. With a length of approximately 21.5 feet, the AIM-174B is more than three times longer than the AIM-9X Sidewinder (9.9 feet) and about twice as long as the AIM-120 AMRAAM (12 feet).
Moreover, at 21 inches thick, the AIM-174B is more than four times thicker than the Sidewinder and three times thicker than the AMRAAM. With respect to weight, there is little comparison; the AIM-174B comes in at a hefty 3,300 lbs, while the AIM-9 and AIM-120 only weigh around 185 lbs and 350 lbs, respectively.
But the real advantage of the AIM-174B has to do with its range. The air-to-air munition has an impressive range of over 200 miles. The two other main air-to-air missiles in the US military’s arsenal do not even come close to that range; the AIM-9X has a range of around 10 miles, while the AIM-120 can hit targets at around 100 miles. To put it in perspective, a fighter jet carrying the AIM-174B could be flying over Boston and hit a target in New York City. This is an unprecedented capability in air combat and could change that balance of power.
The AIM-174B is not designed just for engaging enemy fighter jets and bombers from incredible distances. The munition can be equally effective against enemy munitions, such as ballistic and cruise missiles. It can even be adapted for air-to-ground strikes against warships or other land- or sea-based targets. As such, the AIM-174B offers unprecedented opportunities for area defense.
For example, an F/A-18E Super Hornet equipped with several AIM-174B can conduct combat air patrol missions and deal with a variety of threats, ranging from enemy aircraft to warships to logistical ships to incoming munitions. This capability would be particularly important in the Indo-Pacific, where China’s vaunted Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) system presents a major threat to American naval and air forces. Having the ability to strike back against these systems from a great distance could fundamentally change the balance of power across the region.
The AIM-174B Goes Well with American Aircraft
Another benefit of the AIM-174B is the fact that it can be equipped on older platforms, keeping them relevant in the modern era. The US military has around 800 F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor stealth fighter jets. But it also has thousands of older aircraft like the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F/A-18 Super Hornet. Lacking the cutting-edge stealth features of fifth-generation aircraft, platforms would likely be easier targets for Chinese stealth fighter jets and air defenses. But by pairing them with munitions like the AIM-174B, they remain relevant and deadly on the battlefield.
But linking the two—AIM-174B missiles and modern stealth aircraft—could create the most dangerous combination of all. Technology is pushing air engagements further out, making long-range munitions that much more useful. This was seen during the recent war between India and Pakistan, where the clashes took place at a great distance and traditional close-quarters “dogfighting” was absent.
American fifth-generation warplanes are well-suited to this style of combat. For example, the F-35 Lightning and F-22 Raptor have the sensors on board to detect and track adversary assets hundreds of miles away. In return, their low-observable, or stealth, characteristics make it quite hard for an adversary to detect them. With the right munitions, like the AIM-174B, F-35 and F-22 stealth fighter jets can engage adversaries at extremely long distances without even being noticed. Such a capability is hard to come by—and can truly change the course of a conflict.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
