Air-Launched SM-6 Missile Unveiled on Super Hornets During RIMPAC Exercises in Hawaii.

The air-launched version of the SM-6 missile, designated AIM-174B, was unveiled at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises in Hawaii, as revealed in a photo by @aeros808 on Instagram. Previously shrouded in secrecy and unconfirmed officially, the existence of the missile on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornets marks a significant operational development with extensive tactical implications.
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An F/A-18E from Strike Fighter Squadron 192, known as the "Golden Dragons," equipped with XAIM-147B missiles, stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii (Picture source: @aeros808)

The AIM-174B missiles are identified by their long-range capabilities and also have the potential to target high-value ground and naval assets, functioning similarly to a quasi-ballistic missile. This broadens the strategic options of the U.S. Navy, enabling precise strikes on distant targets whether in the air, on land, or at sea.

Currently featured on Super Hornets carrying inert training rounds, these aircraft are participating in RIMPAC 2024, the largest international maritime exercise, which hosts 29 nations and over 25,000 participants. The presence of these missiles may suggest tactical testing or preparation for live-fire drills, potentially involving the sinking of the decommissioned USS Tarawa during the exercise.

The AIM-174B shares several features with its surface-launched counterpart, the SM-6, designed to counter long-range aerial threats and ballistic missiles in their terminal flight phase. Integrated into the Aegis Combat System, the AIM-174B could play a crucial role in networked maritime air defense, allowing engagements beyond the radar range of the launch platforms.

The operational integration of the AIM-174B not only advances the U.S. Navy's air-to-air combat capabilities but also addresses the increasing threats such as hypersonic missiles and anti-access/area denial systems. Its ability to integrate targeting data remotely makes it a strategic complement to stealth aircraft like the F-35 and radar planes like the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, enhancing the integrated naval combat network.

The emergence of the AIM-174B from a conceptual phase to an operational reality signifies a major leap in long-range strike capabilities for the U.S. Navy, bolstering its strategic posture in potential future conflicts, especially in the Pacific where long-range 'kill chains' are a major military focus.