Iconic AIM-120 AMRAAM missile is getting a high-tech new upgrade

Even with AIM-260 JATM’s production spinning up, the Air Force and the Navy still have big plans for the older AIM-120 AMRAAM, or Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, particularly when it comes to America’s new drone fighters in development, the YFQ-42 and YFQ-44.

The AIM-120 AMRAAM has been in service for more than three decades – however, the newest versions of the AMRAAM, known as the AIM-120-D3 and the even newer AIM-120E, are practically entirely new weapons compared to their 1990s counterparts. 

Like the JATM, exact details about the range and aerobatic capabilities of the latest AMRAAM variants are strictly classified. Yet, it has been publicly disclosed that these missiles boast a two-way data link that allows for third-party targeting at long ranges – this might suggest a maximum reach exceeding that of the launching fighter’s radar arrays. In 2021, the Air Force announced the longest ever recorded air-to-air kill using an AIM-120D launched from an F-15 Eagle against an airborne target; the missile was, at least seemingly, supported by target data provided by a third-party aircraft. While the kill distance was not disclosed, it’s broadly understood that the reach of these missiles already exceeds 100 miles, and maybe quite a bit more. 

In September 2024, Raytheon announced that the latest iteration of the AMRAAM was approaching the range requirements laid out by the force for its replacement, the AIM-260. Raytheon VP ​​John Norman went on record with Air and Space Forces Magazine to say that the latest AMRAAM iteration is now “beyond parity” with “threat missiles” that inspired the AIM-260, suggesting that it has a range that exceeds that of China’s PL-15, which might be anywhere from 120 to 190 miles (200-300 km) depending on your source. While offering no other specifics, Norman went on to say, “It’s almost double in the range of what AMRAAM flew before.” 

That could imply several different ranges, since the AMRAAM has had various iterations with the AIM-120C-5 believed to have a maximum range of around 65 miles, the C-7 believed to reach out to 81 miles, and the D to at least 112 miles. As such, that could suggest the newest AMRAAMs in the works offer anywhere from around 120 miles to approaching 200 in range, though, the former seems more likely. 

Raytheon sees AMRAAM production continuing for the foreseeable future, even as AIM-260 production ramps up. Eventually, AMRAAMs will serve as a lower-cost option for relatively long-range engagements and AIM-260s used as the higher-end of that high-low mix.

All together, the Air Force is looking for $665.1 million in 2026 to purchase 483 new AMRAAMs at around $1.38 million a piece, along with another $51.7 million to continue AMRAAM development throughout the year. 

Feature Image: An AMRAAM AIM-120D-3 missile is launched from an F/A-18F Super Hornet over the Point Mugu Sea Range during a test. (Courtesy of Raytheon)

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