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3w ago

Navy Publicly Reveals AIM-424 'Malice' Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

Fitting inside the F-35C weapons bay with a Navy fact file citing a range over 250 nautical miles, the weapon could extend carrier airwing reach against long-range threats.

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An AIM-424 Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM) is mounted in the internal weapons bay of an F-35C with an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) mounted on the weapon bay door.
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Overview

  • The Navy disclosed the AIM-424, nicknamed Malice, at the Tailhook symposium on Saturday and released DVIDS photos showing captive‑carry testing and a recent F-35C fit check.
  • Raytheon confirmed it developed the missile and the Navy’s fact file lists length, diameter, mass, a blast‑fragmentation warhead and a stated range in excess of 250 nautical miles.
  • Photos show the missile carried externally on an F/A-18E Super Hornet and inside an F-35C bay, indicating planned use on current Super Hornets, F-35C carrier variants and the future F/A-XX.
  • Operational details remain classified, though press reporting describes a two‑stage design with a possible solid‑fuel ramjet inlet; the Navy has not confirmed guidance or deployment timelines.
  • The program is part of a broader push to regain long‑range air‑to‑air overmatch against near‑peer threats and could change carrier tactics by allowing strikes at much greater stand‑off distances.