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8h ago

U.S. Navy Reveals AIM-424 'Malice' Very‑Long‑Range Air‑to‑Air Missile

Internal carriage on the F‑35C preserves stealth to enable very‑long‑range engagements.

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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 publicly disclosed the AIM-424, nicknamed Malice, at the Tailhook symposium on Aug. 22 and published a fact file with basic specs and official images.
  • The service and Raytheon say the weapon is longer‑range than existing missiles with a stated reach in excess of 250 nautical miles and a launch weight of about 1,500 pounds.
  • Published Navy photos show captive‑carry tests on an F/A‑18E/F from April 2026 and an instrumentation/fit test inside an F‑35C bay in August, confirming both external carriage for Super Hornets and internal carriage for the F‑35C.
  • Raytheon confirmed it built the missile and the Navy lists a solid‑propellant motor and blast‑fragmentation warhead, while independent reporting has suggested a possible two‑stage or ramjet‑capable design that remains unconfirmed.
  • Key details on guidance, full propulsion performance, how AIM‑424 will be used alongside AIM‑174B and AIM‑260, and an operational timeline remain classified, but the missile is aimed at extending fleet defense and will increase reliance on off‑board sensors and networked targeting.