US Navy Fires Air-Launched Variant of SM-6 Missile From F/A-18

Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

After years of speculation and covert operations, the U.S. Navy has finally unveiled a significant advancement in its air-to-air missile capabilities. The AIM-174, an air-launched variant of the versatile SM-6 missile, has been showcased on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This article provides a comprehensive technical analysis, personal insights, and comparative evaluations of this formidable weapon system.

For years, defense analysts and enthusiasts have speculated about a long-range air-to-air missile being developed by the U.S. Navy. This speculation has been fueled by occasional sightings and hints from military exercises. According to a report by the War Zone News, the recent appearance of the AIM-174B at the RIMPAC exercise, the largest international maritime exercise, marks a significant milestone in these developments. The designation AIM-174B suggests a missile with unprecedented range and capabilities, capable of engaging high-priority ground targets and warships in addition to its primary air-to-air role.

Former Commander, Army Futures Command, Ret. Gen. John Murray

Photographer aeros808 on Instagram captured images of an F/A-18E from Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192), known as the “Golden Dragons,” carrying a pair of these missiles at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. These missiles, marked as inert for training purposes, sport the NAIM-174B designation and are painted gray, a departure from the orange-colored versions seen in previous years. The presence of these missiles during RIMPAC is noteworthy, hinting at possible live-fire exercises and tactics testing. The AIM-174B missile is a significant evolution of the surface-launched SM-6, also known as the RIM-174. The SM-6 is renowned for its versatility, capable of intercepting both air-breathing and ballistic missile threats at long ranges. The AIM-174B, by extension, retains these capabilities and introduces additional functionalities suited for air-launch scenarios.

Key Features of the AIM-174B

1. Extended Range: The air-launched version benefits from the altitude and speed of the launching aircraft, providing a significant range advantage over the surface-launched variant. While the SM-6 has a surface-launched range of approximately 230 miles, the AIM-174B is expected to exceed this, potentially reaching hundreds of miles in air-to-air engagements.