Exclusive: US Navy Tests New AIM-260 Air-to-Air Missile to Secure Air Superiority Over China and Russia.

According to information published by the AirPower 2.0 X account on March 7, 2025, relaying a message from the U.S. Navy's VX-31 Dust Devils, the squadron successfully conducted live-fire tests of the new AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) air-to-air missile on February 5, 2025. Based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, VX-31 is integral to the Navy’s test and evaluation activities, supporting the development of advanced weaponry and technologies that enhance operational capabilities. 
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

A U.S. Navy VX-31 ‘Dust Devils’ EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft flies over Point Mugu's Sea Range during a photo exercise. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

The U.S. Navy's VX-31 Dust Devils squadron operates a diverse range of aircraft, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, F/A-18D Hornets, AV-8B+ Harriers, and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters. These platforms support a variety of missions, with the AIM-260A test marking a crucial step forward in improving the Navy’s long-range strike capabilities.

Although the specifics of which aircraft participated in the live-fire tests were not disclosed, the AIM-260A's development and testing are part of the broader Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) program, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Navy and Air Force. This missile, which has been under active testing for years, is designed to address the growing threats posed by increasingly advanced adversary aircraft and to replace older systems like the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The testing conducted by VX-31 is a significant milestone in the missile’s evolution, further refining its long-range performance and advanced capabilities to counter emerging threats.

The AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) represents a massive leap forward in missile technology for the U.S. military. Not merely an evolution of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the AIM-260A is a new capability designed to maintain U.S. air superiority over increasingly sophisticated adversaries. With near-peer competitors like Russia and China rapidly advancing their own missile and aircraft technologies, the AIM-260A was developed to meet these new challenges. The missile’s key innovations are tailored to ensure that U.S. forces can maintain dominance in air combat, even as adversaries deploy next-generation stealth fighters and advanced air defense systems.

Developed to improve upon the shortcomings of older systems, the AIM-260A delivers superior performance in long-range engagements, advanced guidance, and tracking systems, as well as enhanced resistance to electronic warfare. The testing of the missile has proven its ability to meet the growing demands for high-performance munitions that can engage the advanced aircraft of near-peer competitors.

The AIM-260A’s design incorporates several major upgrades that make it a game-changer in air-to-air combat. One of the most notable improvements is its extended range. While the AIM-120 AMRAAM has a range of approximately 100 miles (160 km), the AIM-260A is expected to reach up to 150-200 miles (240-320 km), allowing aircraft to engage targets well before they can close in on friendly forces. This increased standoff capability significantly shifts the balance of engagement, giving U.S. aircraft a first-strike advantage over adversaries.

In addition to its extended range, the advanced guidance systems of the AIM-260A provide a crucial advantage in modern air combat. Likely combining active radar homing with an enhanced seeker technology, the missile is designed to track and engage targets at extended ranges while maintaining a high level of accuracy in contested environments. This capability is critical as adversary aircraft are increasingly equipped with advanced countermeasures, such as radar jamming and anti-jamming systems. The AIM-260A’s resilience against such electronic warfare efforts makes it a highly effective tool in the battle for air superiority.

The enhanced maneuverability of the AIM-260A is another standout feature. Its airframe and propulsion system allow it to maintain high agility during its terminal phase, increasing its chances of hitting highly maneuverable targets, such as advanced fighter jets equipped with sophisticated evasion techniques. Furthermore, the missile's design incorporates low-observable features, reducing the likelihood of detection by enemy radar, which gives it an added edge in stealth operations.

The AIM-260A is also designed with flexibility in mind. While its primary role is air-to-air combat, its versatility may allow for secondary ground-attack roles, depending on the specifics of its deployment. This multi-role capability ensures that the AIM-260A can adapt to various mission types, whether it be fleet defense, offensive strikes, or countering emerging threats in contested airspace.

The AIM-260A brings several tactical advantages to U.S. forces, significantly altering the dynamics of air combat. One of its primary benefits is its extended standoff capability. With the ability to engage enemy aircraft before they can enter their weapons range, the AIM-260A enables U.S. aircraft to hold a safe distance while still maintaining the offensive. This is especially crucial when facing adversaries such as China and Russia, who are deploying increasingly sophisticated air defense systems.

The countering of advanced adversary aircraft is another critical tactical advantage. Modern stealth fighters, such as Russia’s Su-57 and China’s J-20, pose a significant challenge to traditional air combat tactics. With its superior range and advanced radar-homing guidance, the AIM-260A allows U.S. aircraft to engage these stealth platforms at longer ranges, reducing the risk of detection and engagement. This ability to defeat next-generation stealth fighters ensures that U.S. forces can maintain air superiority in complex and contested environments.

The multi-target engagement capability of the AIM-260A is also worth noting. Thanks to its advanced seeker and radar systems, the missile can track multiple targets simultaneously. This allows a single aircraft to engage multiple hostile aircraft in rapid succession, an essential capability in air combat scenarios where threats are numerous and dynamic.

In modern combat, electronic warfare plays an increasingly significant role. The AIM-260A’s ability to resist jamming and spoofing makes it a reliable weapon in environments where electronic countermeasures are employed. This capability is critical in ensuring that the missile can maintain its lock on targets and successfully neutralize adversary aircraft, even in the face of sophisticated electronic warfare efforts.

Finally, the AIM-260A’s first-strike advantage gives U.S. forces a critical edge in air combat. By leveraging its extended range and improved tracking capabilities, the missile allows U.S. aircraft to strike first, neutralizing enemy threats before they can launch their own weapons or countermeasures. This makes the AIM-260A a formidable tool for pre-emptively neutralizing enemy aircraft in contested airspace.

As testing continues and the AIM-260A is integrated into operational fleets, it is expected to become a critical asset for the U.S. Navy and Air Force. Aircraft such as the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-22 Raptors will soon be equipped with the missile, marking a new era in air combat capabilities. The ongoing integration of the AIM-260A into operational fleets will reshape the strategies of both the Navy and Air Force, enhancing their ability to dominate in contested airspace and high-threat environments.

The increasing focus on near-peer competitors like China and Russia, both of whom are rapidly advancing their own technologies, underscores the importance of the AIM-260A. With its superior range, advanced guidance systems, and resilience against electronic countermeasures, the missile will allow U.S. forces to remain at the forefront of modern aerial warfare. It provides a vital tool for maintaining air superiority in the face of evolving global threats.

Looking toward the future, the AIM-260A is expected to evolve even further, incorporating new technologies and potentially expanding its role in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagements. Its development is a strategic leap forward, signaling the U.S. military’s preparedness for the future of warfare. As the AIM-260A is integrated into operational platforms and its testing phase progresses, it is clear that this missile will play a pivotal role in maintaining the U.S. military's dominance in the skies for years to come.