Image source: topwar.ru
The US Navy confirms the deployment of an air-launched version of the SM-6 missile. It is characterized as "ultra-long-range".
This is reported by Naval News magazine with reference to the command of the US Navy.
They claim that these air-to-air missiles have the greatest range of all those ever in service with the American Navy. The new weapons were demonstrated to the public mounted on F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters participating in the RIMPAC 2024 exercises in Hawaii. It is important that now the US Navy has officially recognized the existence of SM-6 air-launched missiles and assigned them the name AIM-174.
- a representative of the American naval command told reporters.
It is known that the missiles were transferred to the F/A-18 fighter squadrons of the CVW-2 air wing stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). After the transfer of these weapons to the American navy, the United States will receive ultra-high-range air-to-air missiles for the first time, analogues of which are already in service with some allies and potential opponents of the Americans.
Image source: topwar.ru
The exact data on the range of the SM-6, which was originally considered anti-aircraft and is in service with the US Navy, is still classified. But various sources estimate it from 370 to 450 kilometers. But even by the most conservative estimates, the range of this missile, according to the authors from Naval News, can be considered a record.
