US Air Force seeks 1,000-mile air-to-air missile
The US Air Force has confirmed it is pursuing a new long-range weapon family called the Air Force Long Range Weapon. It would field both an air-to-air and an air-to-surface variant with a minimum reach of about 1,000 nautical miles, far beyond today's missiles.
The US Air Force has confirmed plans for a new family of weapons called the Air Force Long Range Weapon, detailed in a government notice announcing a classified industry meeting set for August at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The program calls for two versions: an air-to-air missile to engage enemy aircraft and an air-to-surface weapon for ships and ground targets. Both must reach at least 1,000 nautical miles, roughly 1,150 land miles, compared with a bit over 100 miles for the main air-to-air missile in service today. The Air Force says it will prioritize the air-to-air version and may pick several vendors. The effort is driven by concern over China's dense air defenses in the Western Pacific, which make it dangerous for aircraft to operate in close. A weapon with this reach matters because it would let a fighter strike high-value targets such as tankers and radar planes while staying outside enemy defenses. Speed, guidance, and timeline remain undisclosed. Sources: Interesting Engineering, Air and Space Forces Magazine, The War Zone, Defense Express.