New Navy Missile Could Change U.S.-China Military Balance
- The Navy has developed a new air-launched missile, the AIM-174B, based on the SM-6.
- This missile is shorter than the SM-6 but larger than the AIM-120 carried by Super Hornets, potentially impacting the military balance between the US and China.
- The introduction of this new missile could have strategic implications in the US-China relationship.
During the largest-ever Naval Training RIMPAC exercise, a fighter from Squadron 192 was equipped with the new U.S. AIM-174B missile, designed for potential conflict with China. This missile, an air-launched variant of the RIM-174 Standard Missile-6, weighs 1.6 tons and can target objects up to 230 miles away, reaching altitudes over 110,000 feet at speeds of 3.5 times the speed of sound. Experts note that the AIM-174B is part of a broader U.S. initiative to enhance air-to-air missile capabilities beyond the existing AIM-120D3 AMRAAM. While the Navy has confirmed the AIM-174B can reach at least 130 nautical miles, its full specifications remain classified. The missile's design allows for greater range and effectiveness when air-launched, although its maximum range is contingent on optimal conditions, which are rarely met in real-world scenarios. Analysts caution that the introduction of the AIM-174B and the forthcoming AIM-260 will not guarantee air superiority against China, similar to how China's advanced missiles do not automatically ensure dominance over U.S. forces. China's People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has been enhancing its capabilities through extensive study of Western air combat strategies and participation in international exercises. These efforts have led to the development of advanced air-to-air missiles and tactics aimed at achieving air superiority. The introduction of the AIM-174B could significantly impact PLAAF operations, potentially limiting the effectiveness of its slower aircraft and prompting the development of new defensive strategies.