The US military offered a rare public showing of its AIM-174B air-to-air missile during a recent event in Japan, providing a glimpse of a long-range weapon that has largely remained out of the public eye.
Two AIM-174B missiles were mounted beneath the wings of an F/A-18F Super Hornet, drawing significant attention at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force-Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Friendship Day.
The missiles were mounted on the inner pylons of the wings alongside an external fuel tank on the aircraft’s centerline.
Although designed primarily for air-to-air engagements, the AIM-174B also retains the ability to neutralize surface threats — a capability inherited from its predecessor, the SM-6.
The missile is believed to be intended for use in the Indo-Pacific, addressing the challenges posed by China’s anti-access/area denial strategies.
It made its first public appearance during Rim of the Pacific 2024, also mounted on a Super Hornet.
Features and Capabilities
While the US Navy has confirmed a minimum range of 130 nautical miles (149 miles/240 kilometers), the AIM-174B is reportedly capable of engaging targets up to 250 miles (402 kilometers) away.
This range surpasses that of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the standard air-to-air missile used by the F-22 and F-35 fighter jets.
Weighing around 1,900 pounds (861 kilograms), the AIM-174B is equipped with an active radar homing system, enabling it to independently track and engage targets with heightened precision.
Despite these advanced capabilities, the missile is unlikely to be effective against enemy fighter jets, which are designed to evade long-range missiles due to their speed and maneuverability.
Instead, the AIM-174B is thought to be more effective against “enabler” aircraft, such as early warning and surveillance planes, which are slower and more vulnerable to long-range threats.
