The U.S. Navy has introduced a groundbreaking long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-174B, which experts suggest could significantly alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. This new missile is expected to counter China’s aerial reach and project American military strength amid rising regional tensions.
The AIM-174B, derived from Raytheon’s SM-6 air defense missile, is the longest-range air-to-air weapon ever fielded by the United States. Officially acknowledged in July, the AIM-174B boasts a range of up to 400 kilometers (250 miles), surpassing the reach of the U.S. military’s current long-range missile, the AIM-120 AMRAAM, which has a maximum range of approximately 150 kilometers (93 miles). This increased range allows U.S. aircraft to strike Chinese targets at greater distances, reducing the risk to aircraft carriers and enabling strikes on high-value targets such as command-and-control aircraft.
Chieh Chung, a researcher at the Association of Strategic Foresight in Taipei, highlighted that the AIM-174B could significantly enhance the safety of U.S. assets, such as carrier strike groups, by keeping Chinese anti-ship aircraft at bay and extending the reach of American military strikes. The deployment of this missile could thus potentially increase U.S. involvement in regional conflicts, such as those in the South China Sea or in support of Taiwan, by allowing U.S. forces to operate from safer distances.
The introduction of the AIM-174B represents a strategic shift, enabling U.S. forces to push further into contested regions like the South China Sea, while maintaining a safer distance from potential threats. A senior U.S. defense technical analyst noted that this new missile would likely compel China to alter its military tactics, particularly by holding large, slow-moving aircraft at greater risk.
Historically, the U.S. military’s advantage in stealth technology, first with the F-117 and later with the F-22 and F-35, meant that missiles like the AIM-120 were sufficient. However, with the advent of Chinese stealth aircraft like the J-20 and its PL-15 missile, which has a range of up to 250 kilometers (155 miles), the U.S. edge in missile performance has been eroded. The AIM-174B aims to address this gap by extending the range at which U.S. aircraft can engage adversaries, thus maintaining a strategic upper hand.
The AIM-174B benefits from existing production lines for the SM-6, ensuring that it does not require new manufacturing infrastructure. Raytheon, the missile’s producer, has already committed to producing over 100 SM-6 missiles annually, which could potentially be adapted for the AIM-174B. While Raytheon has not disclosed specific production numbers for the AIM-174B or whether existing SM-6s will be converted, the missile has been showcased on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft, which are also used by the Australian military.
Australia, a key ally in the region, is seen as a vital location for projecting U.S. military power into the South China Sea. The U.S. is investing heavily in military infrastructure in Australia, and the Australian Defense Ministry is closely collaborating with the U.S. to explore the missile’s capabilities.
Peter Layton, a defense and aviation expert at the Griffith Asia Institute, noted that the AIM-174B’s versatility extends beyond air-to-air combat. Modifying the missile could potentially disrupt surface-to-air missile batteries or engage other land targets from an extended range.
The deployment of the AIM-174B could significantly reshape the dynamics of regional conflicts. By extending the operational range of U.S. aircraft and potentially influencing Chinese military behavior, this new missile represents a pivotal shift in the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.
