When we talk about the future of competition for air-superiority, often we focus on the most high-profile platform - the current and future generation fighter aircraft. With cutting edge sensors and systems, new generation fighters are likely to give their pilots access to a level of information and performance beyond what even current fifth generation platforms can offer.
But situational awareness doesn't have the same value if it can't be connected to a weapon system capable enough to leverage it - which the air-to-air missile comes in.
In the past decade, multiple nations have fielded new missiles that challenge or eclipse existing US missiles like the AIM-120. In this episode we're going to look at some of those systems, ask how the US fell behind in the range game, and ask what the plan might be to equip the USAF with tools to reclaim its previous advantage in the air.
Note, this video is a continuation of the series on next-generation air combat, including:
The Race for 6th Generation Fighters:
https://youtu.be/RPrWm6fWuaM
The Race for Air Combat Drones:
https://youtu.be/1-0L5Wv86fQ
AMRAAM D
https://www.twz.com/43483/latest-amraam-air-to-air-missile-aims-to-keep-pace-with-china
AIM-260 Reporting
https://www.iiss.org/en/online-analysis/military-balance/2019/10/aim-260-missile-us-air-force/
https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/10/will-americas-next-long-range-air-air-missile-match-chinas/160771/
Cancellation of past potential AMRAAM replacement
https://www.flightglobal.com/usaf-cancels-amraam-replacement/104054.article
Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU
Relevant Notes or Reading (more to be added:
US Senate armed services committee transcript - Tuesday, May 2, 2023
https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/23-41_05-02-2023.pdf
Professor Justin Bronk - Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook
https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/whitehall-reports/russian-and-chinese-combat-air-trends-current-capabilities-and-future-threat-outlook
Professor Justin Bronk, Nick Reynolds and Dr Jack Watling - The Russian Air War and Ukrainian Requirements for Air Defence
https://static.rusi.org/SR-Russian-Air-War-Ukraine-web-final.pdf
RTX featuring the Peregrine on their web page
https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/air/air-to-air-missiles/air-to-air-missiles
Reporting on 2020 AFRL solicitation in relation to long range AAM technologies
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-seeking-faster-longer-range-air-to-air-missiles/
Reporting on next generation missile systems:
https://www.twz.com/45057/the-air-force-plans-to-test-launch-a-mystery-new-air-to-air-missile
https://www.twz.com/classified-aim-260-air-to-air-missiles-to-arm-future-air-force-drones
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/jatm-start-production-collaborative-combat-aircraft/
https://breakingdefense.com/2019/09/raytheons-new-peregrine-missile-smaller-faster-more-maneuverable/
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/fifth-generation-weapons/
Caveats & Comments:
All normal caveats and comments apply.
In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions.
https://www.twz.com/15692/the-pentagon-is-quietly-developing-an-next-generation-long-range-air-to-air-missile
Timestamps:
00:00:00 — Opening Words
00:01:14 — What Am I Talking About?
00:01:56 — History & The Missile Evolution
00:06:38 — The Future Air War Concept
00:17:41 — What Makes A Good Missile?
00:26:42 — The US Inventory
00:30:10 — Russia
00:36:03 — PRC
00:44:58 — European Competitors
00:51:05 — And Before We Get To The USA
00:52:28 — The New Programs
01:00:59 — Bringing This Together
01:04:21 — Channel Update