US Navy Presents FA-18F Super Hornet Equipped with New Long-Range AIM-174 Missile at Gray Flag 2024 Exercise.

In an official release, the U.S. Navy unveiled the first images of an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter equipped with the new AIM-174 long-range air-to-air missile. These photos, taken during the "Gray Flag" exercise off the coast of Point Mugu, California, mark a significant milestone in American defense technology and demonstrate recent advancements in munitions and weaponry by the armed forces.

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A U.S. Navy F/A-18F and F-35, both assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 9, fly over the Point Mugu Sea Range in Southern California with a U.S. Air Force F-15 during Gray Flag 2024 on Sept. 24, 2024 (Picture source: US DoD)

The VX-9 "Vampires" test and evaluation squadron played a key role in Gray Flag 2024, fielding its flagship aircraft, the F/A-18F Super Hornet, known as "Vandy 1." This fighter, featuring a distinctive black livery in honor of the squadron’s 30th anniversary, is a tribute to the classic markings of the VX-4 commander’s F-4s and F-14s. In addition to its unique paint scheme, the VX-9 Super Hornet was equipped with a heavy air-to-air loadout, including four AIM-174B missiles, three AIM-120 AMRAAMs, and two AIM-9X Sidewinders. An ATFLIR targeting pod and an infrared search and track (IRST) system integrated into a modified fuel tank further enhance its engagement capabilities, though this load may be impractical for carrier operations due to weight constraints.

The AIM-174B missile itself represents a significant advance. Based on the SM-6, it is designed for very long-range air-to-air engagements. With propulsion capable of reaching Mach 3.5, the AIM-174B incorporates active radar technology from the AIM-120, enabling it to track and engage targets over 200 nautical miles away. Initially designed for naval air defense, the missile’s air-launched version enhances the Navy’s long-range engagement potential. From high altitudes, its range likely surpasses that of the surface-launched SM-6, giving Super Hornets a reach comparable to ships equipped with the SM-6.

Gray Flag 2024 involved extensive U.S. military participation, with over 3,000 personnel from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Air Force, along with allied and industry representatives. The event facilitated more than 600 aircraft sorties and tested 26 different systems on the 36,000-square-mile Point Mugu Sea Range, managed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). This multi-domain platform allowed the Navy to explore modern combat scenarios through live, virtual, and constructive elements.

The inclusion of the AIM-174 in Gray Flag 2024 underscores the Navy’s commitment to enhancing its arsenal for future challenges, particularly in response to Pacific-area threats (Picture source: US DoD)

Capt. David Halpern, commodore of Naval Test Wing Pacific, noted that the exercise brought together diverse military, academic, technological, and allied partners, creating a unique opportunity to evaluate system interoperability in realistic conditions. According to Halpern, “Gray Flag 2024 was the most expansive interoperability event to date, and the data collected will help shape future requirements, tactics, techniques, and procedures.”

The inclusion of the AIM-174 in Gray Flag 2024 underscores the Navy’s commitment to enhancing its arsenal for future challenges, particularly in response to Pacific-area threats. Drawing from the SM-6’s capabilities, this missile acts as a strategic asset in new networked kill chains.

The AIM-174B, designed for long-range air combat, extends the interception capabilities of F/A-18F Super Hornets well beyond the current AIM-120 AMRAAM. This range enables Super Hornets to neutralize threats well before they can reach firing range, thereby enhancing mission effectiveness and pilot safety.

The AIM-174B was integrated into the F/A-18F Super Hornet during RIMPAC 2024, with the VFA-192 "Golden Dragons" squadron among the first to field it. The VX-9 "Vampires" squadron also conducted operational tests during Gray Flag 2024, showcasing the Super Hornet’s capacity to carry this substantial loadout. Though still in advanced testing, recent exercises and statements reflect the Navy's intent to incorporate this missile to enhance long-range air combat capabilities.