This could be the longest-range AIR-TO-AIR Missile in US History!
Summary
TLDRThe 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
🚀 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.
🎯 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.
🔍 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.
🏆 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.
🚀 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.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡AIM-174
💡SM-6 Interceptor
💡Quasi-ballistic capabilities
💡Kinzhal missile
💡AIM-54 Phoenix
💡Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA)
💡RIMPAC 2024
💡Aegis Combat System
💡Hypersonic speeds
💡Mach 3.5
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
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Outlets using pretty similar language
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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
and every day for all the latest and
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