This could be the longest-range AIR-TO-AIR Missile in US History!

Summary

The US Navy has unveiled its new air-to-air missile, the AIM-174, an air-launched variant of the SM-6 interceptor. This weapon promises to be America's longest-ranged air-to-air missile, combining quasi-ballistic capabilities with the air-to-air prowess of the AIM-54 Phoenix. The missile could significantly enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of the Navy's carrier-based fighters, with potential ranges exceeding 200 miles and the ability to engage both air and surface targets. The AIM-174's versatility and combat-proven record suggest it may become a key asset in the US Navy's arsenal.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The US Navy has revealed its newest air-to-air missile, the AIM-174, which is an air-launched variant of the SM-6 interceptor.
• 🔥 The AIM-174 promises to be America's longest-ranged air-to-air missile in history, combining the capabilities of Russia's Kinzhal missile and the AIM-54 Phoenix.
• 🔍 The missile is designed to be launched from the Mark 41 vertical launch system and has demonstrated its versatility in training, exercises, and combat operations.
• 🎯 The SM-6 is referred to as a tri-mission capable weapon, meaning it can serve as an anti-air, sea-based terminal defense, and anti-surface warfare roles.
• 🌐 The missile system can receive target information from various platforms via the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) concept, enhancing its targeting capabilities.
• 📸 The AIM-174 was first spotted in images posted by an aviation photographer on Instagram, mounted on an F/A-18E Super Hornet during RIMPAC 2024 exercises.
• 💥 The missile could potentially engage airborne targets at ranges beyond 200 miles and surface targets from even further, doubling the reach of current AMRAAM missiles.
• 🛫 The integration with NIFC-CA allows Super Hornets to launch missiles from hundreds of miles away, relying on other radar arrays or platforms like the F-35 to relay target data.
• 💣 The AIM-174 carries a 140 lb high explosive blast fragmentation warhead, making it powerful for engaging enemy aircraft but potentially less effective against large warships.
• 🛠️ The weapon's development and testing suggest it is nearing operational service, although the Navy has not officially acknowledged its plans for the AIM-174.
• 🌐 The missile's broad capability set, combat-proven record, and potential to be employed by both warships and fighter jets make it a significant addition to the US Navy's arsenal.

Q & A

What is the AIM-174 missile and what does it signify for air warfare?

The AIM-174 is an air-launched variant of the SM-6 interceptor missile, designed to be America's longest-ranged air-to-air missile. It combines the capabilities of Russia's Kinsel missile and the AIM-54 Phoenix, promising to revolutionize air warfare with its extended range and multi-role capabilities.

What is the significance of the AIM-174 being an air-launched variant of the SM-6?

The AIM-174, as an air-launched variant of the SM-6, offers the ability to engage enemy aircraft from hundreds of miles away and can also intercept ballistic or cruise missiles. This provides a significant leap in both offensive and defensive capabilities for carrier-based fighters.

How does the AIM-174 compare to the AIM-54 Phoenix in terms of air-to-air capabilities?

The AIM-174 is reminiscent of the AIM-54 Phoenix in its air-to-air prowess but with about twice the range, making it a more formidable weapon for engaging enemy aircraft at long distances.

What is the 'N' prefix in the AIM-174B designation and what does it imply?

The 'N' prefix in AIM-174B signifies that the weapon is in a testing status, indicating significant modifications from its original use case, making reconversion to the original configuration neither planned nor feasible at reasonable costs.

How does the AIM-174 missile's range compare to existing air-to-air missiles?

The AIM-174 is expected to have a significantly greater range than existing air-to-air missiles, potentially allowing it to engage targets beyond 200 miles, which is more than double the reach of the latest AMRAAM missiles.

What is the role of the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) in the operation of the AIM-174?

The NIFC-CA is vital for the AIM-174's operation as it allows the missile to receive updated target information from various platforms, enabling it to close in on its target until it can transition to its onboard radar seeker.

How does the AIM-174's speed compare to other missiles, and what does this mean for its effectiveness?

The AIM-174 achieves speeds around Mach 3.5 when engaging airborne threats and can likely reach hypersonic speeds when closing in on surface targets. This high speed makes it a potent weapon for both air-to-air and surface engagements.

What is the potential impact of the AIM-174 on the US Navy's ability to counter anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies?

The AIM-174's ability to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles at long ranges could significantly counter A2/AD strategies, such as China's DF-21D and DF-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles, by providing a means to engage these threats from standoff distances.

How does the AIM-174's versatility as both an air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon enhance its strategic value?

The AIM-174's versatility allows it to engage a variety of targets in the air, on land, and at sea, making it a truly multi-purpose weapon that can be employed by both warships and fighter jets, enhancing its strategic value in diverse combat scenarios.

What is the potential loadout for a Super Hornet carrying AIM-174 missiles, and how might this affect its operational capabilities?

While theoretically a Super Hornet could carry five AIM-174s, it is more likely to carry two, along with additional weapons or fuel tanks. This loadout would significantly increase the Super Hornet's combat capacity, equipping it to engage a wide range of targets at extended ranges.

What is the current status of the AIM-174 in terms of operational service, and what does this mean for its future deployment?

As of the script's information, the AIM-174 has not been officially acknowledged by the Navy for operational service. However, its appearance in exercises and official designation suggest that it is likely to be put into service in the near future, potentially revolutionizing the US Navy's air warfare capabilities.

Outlines

00:00

🚀 Introduction to the AIM-174: America's Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

The US Navy has unveiled its newest air-to-air missile, the AIM-174, an air-launched variant of the SM-6 interceptor. This weapon promises to be the longest-ranged air-to-air missile in American history, combining the quasi-ballistic capabilities of Russia's Kinsel missile with the air-to-air prowess of the AIM-54 Phoenix. The SM-6 has proven itself on the battlefield and is a tri-mission capable weapon, able to serve as anti-air, sea-based terminal defense, and anti-surface warfare roles. The missile's potential for conflict with China is highlighted, along with the use of Ground News as an aggregator to stay unbiased and informed.

05:01

🎯 Development and Testing of the AIM-174 Missile

The development of the AIM-174 has been ongoing for at least three years, with the missile being spotted under the wing of a Super Hornet in 2021 and again in 2024. The missile, designated AIM-174B with the 'B' indicating a testing status, was first publicly imaged by aviation photographer Aeros 808 on Instagram, mounted on an FA-18E Super Hornet during the RIMPAC 2024 exercises. The missile's range is believed to be at least 230 miles, and it could potentially reach hypersonic speeds when engaging surface targets, making it a versatile weapon for both air and surface engagements.

10:03

🔍 The Tactical Implications of the AIM-174 for Future Warfare

The AIM-174's integration with the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) system is crucial for its effectiveness. This allows the Super Hornet to launch the missile from hundreds of miles away, relying on other radar arrays or platforms like the F-35 to relay target data. The missile's range and speed could make it a formidable weapon against larger, less agile targets like AWACS, ISR aircraft, and bombers. Its secondary role as a surface warfare asset adds to its strategic value, especially in the context of potential conflict with China in the Pacific.

15:04

🏆 The Combat Proven Record and Versatility of the SM-6 Missile

The SM-6 missile, the basis for the AIM-174, has a proven track record in various combat scenarios, including setting records for the longest surface-to-air engagement in naval history. It has successfully intercepted a variety of targets, from ballistic missiles to decommissioned naval vessels. The SM-6's ability to engage with a range exceeding its publicly acknowledged limit suggests that the AIM-174 could have an even greater reach when launched from an aircraft.

20:06

🚀 The Future of the AIM-174 and Its Role in the US Navy's Arsenal

While the US Navy has not officially acknowledged the AIM-174, its presence in exercises and official designation suggest imminent service entry. The missile's size and weight, compared to the AIM-120 AMRAAM, indicate its massive firepower for engaging airborne threats and potential limitations in anti-ship roles. The potential for a Super Hornet to carry multiple AIM-174s, along with other weapons or fuel tanks, could significantly enhance the offensive and defensive capabilities of a carrier air wing. However, the Navy's plans for the missile remain speculative, and official confirmation is awaited.

🌟 Conclusion: The Potential Impact of the AIM-174 on US Naval Strategy

The AIM-174, if introduced into service, could represent a significant addition to the US Navy's arsenal, offering a broad capability set as both an air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon. Its combat provenance and versatility, combined with its potential range and speed, position it as a key asset for the US Navy's strategic positioning in the Pacific. The video concludes with a call to attention for further developments regarding the AIM-174 and its integration into the US Navy's carrier strike groups.

Keywords

💡AIM-174

The AIM-174 is an air-launched variant of the SM-6 missile, designed for long-range air-to-air engagements. It is intended to provide the U.S. Navy with a significant increase in both offensive and defensive capabilities, especially within the Pacific theater. The missile combines the quasi-ballistic capabilities of Russia's Kinzhal missile with the air-to-air prowess of the AIM-54 Phoenix, offering a versatile weapon system that has already proven itself on the battlefield. The AIM-174 is expected to have a range significantly greater than current AMRAAM missiles, potentially exceeding 200 nautical miles, and can be integrated with the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) system for over-the-horizon targeting.

💡SM-6 Interceptor

The SM-6 Interceptor, also known as the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), is a versatile weapon system used by the U.S. Navy. It is designed to be launched from the Mark 41 vertical launch system and has demonstrated its effectiveness in anti-air, anti-surface, and terminal phase ballistic missile defense roles. The SM-6 has a range of over 200 nautical miles and can reach speeds up to Mach 3.5. Its air-launched variant, the AIM-174, is expected to leverage the SM-6's capabilities for extended range air-to-air engagements.

💡Quasi-ballistic capabilities

Quasi-ballistic capabilities refer to the missile's ability to follow a flight path similar to a ballistic missile but with more maneuverability, especially during the terminal phase of engagement. This term is used in the context of the AIM-174, which is said to combine these capabilities with the air-to-air prowess of the AIM-54 Phoenix, providing a missile that can engage targets with high speed and maneuverability, making it difficult for adversaries to defend against.

💡Kinzhal missile

The Kinzhal missile, developed by Russia, is an air-launched ballistic missile known for its high speed and maneuverability. It is used as a point of comparison for the AIM-174 due to the latter's similar quasi-ballistic capabilities. The Kinzhal missile is designed to evade missile defense systems and can be used against a variety of targets, including aircraft carriers and ground installations.

💡AIM-54 Phoenix

The AIM-54 Phoenix was a long-range air-to-air missile used by the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat fighters. It was known for its impressive range of over 100 nautical miles and its ability to engage multiple targets simultaneously. The AIM-54 was retired in 2004, but its legacy is carried on by the AIM-174, which aims to provide a similar long-range engagement capability for modern U.S. Navy aircraft.

💡Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA)

The NIFC-CA is a system that allows the U.S. Navy to extend the range of its engagements by integrating data from various platforms, such as aircraft, ships, and sensors. This system enables the AIM-174 to be guided to its target beyond the launch aircraft's radar range, providing a significant tactical advantage. The NIFC-CA system is crucial for over-the-horizon targeting and enhances the effectiveness of the AIM-174 in combat scenarios.

💡RIMPAC 2024

RIMPAC 2024 refers to the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, an international maritime warfare training exercise involving naval forces from multiple countries. The exercise took place between June 27 and August 1, 2024, and included the participation of the U.S. Navy's F/A-18E Super Hornet carrying the AIM-174B missile. The presence of the AIM-174B during RIMPAC 2024 suggests that the missile is undergoing operational testing and evaluation, indicating its potential nearness to being fielded operationally.

💡Aegis Combat System

The Aegis Combat System is an advanced, automated, command-and-control weapons system used by the U.S. Navy to coordinate and integrate the offensive and defensive capabilities of its surface fleet. The system is integral to the operation of the SM-6 missile and its air-launched variant, the AIM-174, as it provides the radar and fire control necessary for the missile's guidance and targeting.

💡Hypersonic speeds

Hypersonic speeds refer to velocities that exceed Mach 5, or five times the speed of sound. The AIM-174 is believed to be capable of reaching hypersonic speeds when engaging surface targets, which, combined with its long range, makes it a formidable weapon system. This speed, when achieved, allows the missile to close in on its targets rapidly, making it difficult for enemy defenses to react effectively.

💡Mach 3.5

Mach 3.5 is a speed measurement indicating that an object is traveling at 3.5 times the speed of sound. The SM-6 missile, and by extension its air-launched variant the AIM-174, is capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 3.5, which contributes to its effectiveness in engaging both air and surface targets at extended ranges.

Highlights

The US Navy has revealed its newest air-to-air missile, the AIM-174, which is an air-launched variant of the SM-6 interceptor.

The AIM-174 promises to be America's longest-ranged air-to-air missile in history, combining capabilities of Russia's Kinzhal missile and the AIM-54 Phoenix.

The SM-6 missile is a versatile weapon system with anti-air, terminal defense, and anti-surface warfare roles, capable of engaging a variety of threats.

The AIM-174 could give carrier-based fighters the ability to engage enemy aircraft from hundreds of miles away and intercept inbound threats.

Images of a US Navy Super Hornet carrying AIM-174 missiles suggest the weapon system is nearing operational service.

The AIM-174 could potentially engage airborne targets at ranges beyond 200 miles and surface targets from even further.

The missile's integration with the Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) concept is vital for its extended range capabilities.

The AIM-174 could allow the Super Hornet to serve as a missile truck for stealth F-35Cs spotting targets ahead in contested airspace.

The weapon's speed could reach hypersonic levels when engaging surface targets, similar to Russia's Kinzhal missile.

The AIM-174 is already combat proven, with a broad capability set as both an air-to-air and air-to-surface weapon.

The missile could be a significant addition to the US Navy's arsenal, offering increased offensive and defensive capabilities.

The AIM-174's size and weight suggest it could be carried by Super Hornets on BRU-32 heavy-duty ejector racks.

A carrier airwing could potentially carry between 60 and 72 AIM-174s, significantly enhancing the combat capacity of a carrier strike group.

The Navy has not yet acknowledged plans to put the AIM-174 into service, but evidence suggests it is progressing towards that goal.

The AIM-174's capabilities could complicate defense strategies for adversary forces, increasing the US Navy's tactical options.

The missile's development and potential deployment are being closely monitored for their impact on future air warfare.

Transcripts

after years of rumors and images

surfacing online the US Navy has finally

revealed its newest air-to-air missile

the aim 174 this weapon is an air

launched variant of the already proven

sm6 Interceptor and now promises to be

America's longest ranged air-to-air

missile in history I'm talking about a

weapon that combines the Quasi ballistic

capabilities of Russia's highly touted

Kinsel missile along with the legendary

air-to-air prowess of the aim 54 Phoenix

missile all in a system that's already

proven itself on the battlefield let's

talk about the sm6 the aim 174 and what

all of this means for the future of air

Warfare I'm Alex Hollings and this is

air power

[Music]

now it's no secret that one of the

primary drivers behind the American

effort to field AI piloted aircraft is

the potential for conflict with China

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right here on ground news we can find

coverage of the recent US Air Force Air

Combat exercises that pitted an AI

piloted F-16 with Air Force secretary

Frank Kendall riding shotgun against

another F-16 piloted by one of the Air

Force's most experienced Viper pilots

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Outlets using headlines like an AI

controlled fighter jet took the Air

Force leader for a historic ride what

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Outlets using pretty similar language

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their Vantage plan to help you stay on

top of things recently surfaced images

of a US Navy Super Hornet carrying air

launched sm6 missiles under wing now

really seem to suggest the branch is

about to put one of the longest ranged

air-to-air missiles in history into

service these new weapons we've come to

learn have been given the designation

aim 174 with that aim prefix short of

course for air intercept missile meaning

these are intended to serve as

air-to-air weapons and they could give

America's carrier-based Fighters the

means to engage enemy aircraft from

literally hundreds of miles away all

while offering the ability to engage

enemy warships and even to intercept

inbound threats like ballistic or cruise

missiles put simply equipping super

Hornets with these new weapons could

provide the Navy's Fighters with a huge

leap in both offensive and defensive

capabilities especially within the

sprawling expanses of the Pacific RTX

formerly known as Ron's sm6 missile is

already among the Navy's most versatile

weapon systems designed to be launched

from The Mark 41 vertical launch system

employed by the vast majority of the

Branch's warships these high-speed

interceptors have successfully downed a

wide variety of threats in both training

exercise and in recent months actual

combat operations over the Red Sea the

Pentagon refers to the sm6 as a tri

Mission capable weapon denoting its

ability to serve an anti-air seab based

terminal defense and anti-surface

warfare roles in other words this single

weapon system can be used to down enemy

aircraft inbound ballistic or cruise

missiles and even surface targets like

enemy warships at ranges of better than

200 miles this weapon is so capable in

fact that the head of the US missile

defense agency US Navy vice admiral John

Hill described it as the only

Interceptor in the US Arsenal that's

already capable of taking down

maneuvering Hypersonic missiles in

2022 but as capable as these weapons

have already proven to be this new air

launched variant of the sm6 known again

as the aim 174 could have even greater

implications so let's dive into what we

know about this new weapon and how we've

learned it earlier this week Aviation

photographer Aeros 808 on Instagram was

the first to post images of two aim 174

BS mounted on an fa18e Super Hornet from

the vfa 192 golden dragons on the taxi

way of joint-based Pearl Harbor Hickam

in Hawaii this Super Hornet and at least

one more were spotted carrying inert

iterations of this new air launched

weapon as they took part in the ongoing

rim of the the Pacific or rimpac 2024

Maritime combat exercises a massive slew

of seaword War Games taking place

between June 27th and August 1st of this

year with some 29 Nations and more than

25,000 military personnel all taking

part these images are actually where we

learned the weapon new designation aim

174 with Nim

174b clearly painted on the side of the

weapon forward fuselage that n prefix

denotes the weapon testing status as a

system that's been so modified from its

original use case that quote a

reconversion to the original

configuration is neither planned nor

feasible at reasonable costs these

weapons were clearly marked inert and

also carried the traditional blue bands

that denote the same as pointed out by

the war zone a small black and yellow

marking at the center of the missile's

body suggests the intent of these fls

was to study the behavior of the weapon

during either captive carry tests or

potentially even when being dropped

while these images were the first to

show the a174 and what seems to be

nearing operational trim this was not

the first time super hornets have been

spotted carrying these air launched

variants of the sm6 the first sm6 is

spotted under the wing of a Super Hornet

actually date back to 2021 when an fa18f

from VX X31 was spotted carrying one of

them with orange accent paint then on

April 17th of this year another Navy

Super Hornet believed to hail from the

air test and evaluation Squadron or vx9

was spotted carrying the same weapon

about 60 Mi north of the Naval Air

Weapon Station China Lake while it does

remain possible that this new air

launched weapon may not be destined for

operational service the compiling

evidence certainly suggests that it is

and that the Navy's been working on

bringing this capability to bear for at

least 3 years now now the standard

missile 6 or sm6 also known as The Rim

174 standard extended range active

missile or eam was originally designed

specifically to serve as an

anti-aircraft weapon that could engage

inbound air breathing threats like

Fighters bombers or cruise missiles from

Beyond the Horizon thanks to its ability

to receive updated Target information

from a wide variety of nearby assets via

the naval integrated Fire Control

counter aair concept now that's

admittedly a mouthful but what it

basically means is that once this weapon

is launched it can be guided to its

intended target area via semi-active

radar control leveraging the powerful

radar arrays employed by agis equipped

warships other aircraft and more or it

can leverage onboard inertial guidance

but once the weapon reaches proximity to

its Target it transitions to its own

onboard radar Seeker which is actually a

larger version of the same radar system

found in the a 120 Advanced medium range

air-to-air missile or amram now when

launched from a Mark 41 vertical launch

tube this weapon is initially carried

aoft by a mark 72 rocket booster which

isn't present on the air launched aim

174 and in this trim the missile can

engage targets at an unclassified range

of at least 2 30 miles though we know

for a fact it's at least a bit further

than that well it's difficult to assess

exactly what the weapon's maximum range

would be when launched from a fighter

like the fa18 when flying at high speed

and high altitude it would almost

certainly be greater and we can say this

with some degree of certainty thanks to

other air-launched variants of Warship

based weapons like the Harpoon anti-ship

missile which boasts an unclassified

range of some 67 mil when launched from

a surface vessel and at least 138 Mi

when launched from an aircraft this

means the A1 174 could very likely

engage Airborne targets at ranges Beyond

200 miles and surface targets from even

further offering more than double the

reach of the latest iteration amram

radar guided air-to-air missiles in fact

this incredible range would mean the

weapon itself can hit targets

significantly further away than the

super Hornets an AP B g79 active

electronically scanned array radar could

even find them which is why the missiles

integration with that Naval integrated

Fire Control counter a concept is so

vital in effect the Navy Super Hornets

could launch these missiles from

hundreds of miles out relying on other

radar arrays like again those found on

Aegis warships or on Airborne early

warning and control aircraft or

importantly stealth sensor fusing

platforms like the F35 to relay the

necessary Target data to allow the

missile to close with its Target until

it can transition to that onboard radar

Seeker or to put it another way the a

147 could allow the Super Hornet to

serve as a missile truck for the stealth

f-35c flying further ahead into

contested airspace with the f35s

spotting targets with their own powerful

aapg 81 radar arrays and relaying those

coordinates back to non- stealthy super

Hornets lugging these 3300 lb missiles

under wing now it's worth noting that

engaging enemy fighters from that far

out will always be a tricky proposition

as that incredible distance the weapon

has to cover gives agile Fighters pretty

ample opportunity to shake them but

these weapons could be absolutely

devastating to larger more sluggish

targets like awax tankers ISR aircraft

and bombers and maybe just as

importantly the weapons secondary role

as a surface Warfare asset means this

one missile could allow super Hornets to

engage aircraft or enemy warships from

standoff ranges making it an extremely

valuable commodity as the US positions

itself for the possibility of conflict

with China in the Pacific and if all

that weren't enough this weapon achieved

speeds of around Mach 3.5 when engaging

Airborne threats but can likely reach

Hypersonic speeds or speeds in excess of

mach five as it closes with surface

targets making it something of a quasi

ballistic missile similar in some

regards to Russia's k47 M2 Kinsel when

used for that job but conversely when

engaging air-to-air targets the weapon

could be seen as somewhat reminiscent of

the now legendary a54 phoenix once

carried by the F14 Tomcat except with

about twice the range now as we've

discussed in previous videos the US

military is actively developing a GLW of

new air-to-air weapons meant to engage

targets at greater ranges than ever

before including the forthcoming

a260 joint Advanced tactical missile or

jatm which itself is believed to boast a

range in the neighborhood of 200 miles

as well but the aim 174 boasts the

important distinction of already being

combat proven as well as a much broader

capability set super Hornets armed with

these weapons could represent a mass

massive increase in both the offensive

and defensive capabilities of a carrier

airwing in 2014 an sm6 set a record for

the longest surface to- a engagement in

Naval History at a distance the US Navy

did not disclose only to go on and break

its own record 2 years later in January

of 2016 when SM sixs were used to

intercept five separate targets from

Beyond the Horizon that same year SM

sixs were used to syn the decommissioned

USS Ruben James a Perry class guided

missile frigate then in December of 2016

an sm6 broke its own record again

scoring the new longest range surface

to- a Intercept in Naval History again

and an undisclosed range in another set

of exercises carried out in 2017 sm6 is

intercepted medium-range ballistic

missiles in their terminal phase

demonstrating that this weapon could

likely intercept China's DF 21d and

df-26 anti-ship ballistic missiles which

serve as a vital part of the nation's

anti- access area denial strategy in the

Pacific in April of 2021 an sm6 was used

to hit a naval Target some 250 Mi away

from its launch platform the USS John

Finn and that's despite the weapons

publicly acknowledged ranged at the time

being listed as just 150 miles in

December of 2023 the sm6 made its combat

debut successfully intercepting three

anti-ship ballistic missiles launched by

houthi forces in the Red Sea a feat that

the USS Carney repeated in January of

2024 in the Gulf of Aiden against again

houthi anti-ship ballistic weapons this

weapon's ability to cover great

distances at high speed acquire Target

data from a wide variety of platforms

and engage a variety of Targets in the

air on land and at sea make it extremely

useful as a ship-based system but by

launching them from aircraft as well the

Navy can dramatically increase the

possible vectors in which this missile

can close with a Target significantly

complicating matters for adversary

forces who are hoping to defend against

an onslaught of inbound weapon systems

which means not only does the A1 174

have the potential to be America's most

capable air-to-air missile but it also

promises to be a truly en purpose weapon

akin to the ones we once considered

silly in games like Ace Combat 7 and now

with a174 is flying as a part of rack

2024 it seems very likely that the US

Navy will be putting this weapon into

service in the not too distant future

now to be clear this is not a weapon

that will ever be carried internally by

America's inservice stealth Fighters not

unless the new ones are a whole lot

bigger and to give you a sense of just

how big it is let's let's compare it to

the a 120 amram which is America's

Premier radar guided air-to-air weapon

and the primary weapon used by American

fighters for Beyond visual range

engagements now the a 120 is about 12 ft

long and about 7 in in diameter it

carries a 44 lb high explosive Warhead

and weighs in at around 356 lb whereas

the a 174 is around 21 1/2 ft long

around 21 in in Di diameter and weighs

in at around 3,300 lb including a 140 lb

high explosive blast fragmentation

Warhead and while that's a fairly small

Warhead for anti-ship duties it's a

downright massive one for engaging enemy

aircraft and what that ultimately means

in an operational sense is that this

weapon has the Firepower on board to

make short work of just about any kind

of Airborne threat including Fighters

bombers and a variety of missiles but

when used as an anti-ship weapon it

likely wouldn't have the Firepower

necessary to sink a large hold vessel

and instead would be used to accomplish

what we usually call a mission kill

which is where you inflict enough damage

to the vessel where it doesn't sink but

can no longer take part in its intended

Mission now in the images posted earlier

this week by Aeros 808 we can clearly

see two of these aim 174s carried under

wing by the Super Hornet on what sure

looked to be br32 heavy Duty ejector

racks and if I'm right about that they

would have little trouble managing these

heavy weapons the bru 32 is raided to

carry ordinance of up to 4400 lb and the

Super Hornet itself can take off

carrying some

17,750 lb of ordinance meaning it's at

least theoretically possible for a Super

Hornet to take off while carrying five

of these massive air-to-air missiles but

to be clear that would almost certainly

never happen first of all the Super

Hornet probably couldn't land again

while carrying all that hate and it

would also completely eliminate the

possibility of carrying things like

external fuel tanks or other weapon

systems it seems a lot more likely that

super Hornets would fly with two of

these a 174s on board along with a pair

of A9 X's out on their wing tip pylons

and maybe a few other weapons or

external fuel tanks to boot and with a

common modern carrier airwing including

three squadrons of fa18 super Hornets

and a fourth of F35 C's each of those

squadrons representing between 10 and 12

aircraft that means that one aircraft

carrier could scramble somewhere between

30 and 36 super Hornets each carrying at

least two of these weapons representing

between 60 and 72 of these aim 174s or

air launched SM sixs which alone would

represent the combat capacity of adding

another 2/3 of a destroyer to the

carrier strike group and with a combat

radius of some 500 plus miles that means

these super Hornets could engage

Airborne threats from better than 700

mil away from the aircraft carrier and

surface threats from even further add

some mid-flight refueling from the mq-25

stingray carrier-based drone tanker and

well you get the idea but and there is

always a but it's also really important

to be clear that a lot of this is

assertion it is evidence-based assertion

but it is Asser nonetheless and thus far

the Navy has not even acknowledged their

plans to put this a 174 in service in

fact they haven't acknowledged it at all

but the fact that we have seen these

weapons loaded onto a Super Hornet

multiple times over the past 3 years the

fact that these weapons now have an

official designation as a 174s and the

fact that they are being used to at

least some extent in rimac 2024 all

suggest that these weapons are making

their way towards service and while we

can't speak to confirmed specifics we

can be certain that they will bring a

great deal of new capability to the fa18

Super Hornet and the US Navy carrier

strike group itself if and when they do

and while there are already a slew of

other Advanced new air-to-air missiles

already in the works some of which may

even outrange this aim 174 once they

enter service this weapon's incredibly

broad capability set as both an airto A

and an airto surface weapon the fact

that it can be employed by warships and

fighter jets alike and the fact that

this weapon has already proven its

ability to down ballistic missiles

cruise missiles fighter jets and more

could mean that this could be the most

significant new addition to the US

Navy's Arsenal in decades and you better

believe I will be paying very close

attention to what the US Navy has to say

about this and with that ends yet

another addition of air power from

sandbox newss I'm Alex Hollings make

sure to swing by sandbox news.com today

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