As early as next year, American aviation may arm itself with a secret AIM-260 missile. Yesterday, November 22, the portal thedrive.com He reported that the US Air Force is actively testing a munition developed under the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program.
"Only last year, about 30 missions with the use of target aircraft were carried out. This makes sense only in one case — if the goal is for the new missile to be put into service with Air Force and Navy aircraft as early as next year," writes Thomas Newdick of The Drive.
AIM-120 AMRAAM Rocket
Image source: popularmechanics.com
The US Air Force declassified the development of the AIM-260 missile in 2019. Then it was reported that the new munition is being developed jointly with the US Navy and should replace or supplement the AIM-120 AMRAAM medium-range missiles in service.
In terms of size, the AIM-260 corresponds to the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, but will exceed it in target range. If the range of the AIM-120, according to unofficial data, is from 75 to 100 miles (up to 160 km), then the newest missile should significantly exceed this figure in order to compete with the new Chinese PL-15 missile, which, according to sources, can hit targets at a range of 124 miles.
