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AIM-260 JATM

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AIM-260 JATM
Rendering of the AIM-260A JATM
TypeBeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerLockheed Martin
Produced2024–present[1][2]
Specifications
Maximum firing rangeAt least 200 km (120 mi)[3][need quotation to verify]
WarheadHigh explosive blast-fragmentation
Maximum speedMach 5
Launch
platform
Aircraft:

The AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) is an American beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) being developed and produced by Lockheed Martin. Designed to address advanced threats, the missile is expected to replace or supplement the AIM-120 AMRAAM currently in US service. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) considers the AIM-260A JATM program to be the number one air-delivered weapon priority for both the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Navy (USN); and its acquisition out-prioritizes other weapon system improvements and modernization efforts on any fielded aircraft.[4]

This program differs from the Long-Range Engagement Weapon being developed by Raytheon[5] and the Navy's possibly related AIM-424 Malice, currently in flight-testing.[6] The JATM is also separate from the AIM-174B Gunslinger, also developed by Raytheon for the USN. Australia is to also be the first foreign country to procure the missile, with deliveries expected in 2033.

Development

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Initial launch platforms were expected to be, and currently are, the USAF F-22 Raptor and the USN F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with integration with the F-35 Lightning II and F-15EX Eagle II being planned afterwards.[7]

The AIM-260 program began in 2017 in response to long-range missiles developed by potential adversaries, specifically the Chinese PL-15.[7] Full scale aerial target testing for the JATM was confirmed to have started as early as April 2020,[8] and testing in general for the missile is currently in progress. It is yet to achieve initial operational capability (IOC). AIM-260 production is expected to overtake AIM-120 production by 2026.[7][9]

Development of the missile has been highly classified; it is a Special Access Program.[4] In FY 2020, the U.S. Air Force appropriated $6.5m for the construction of a custom storage vault at Hill AFB specifically for the JATM, citing the classified nature of the program.[4][9] An official Request for Information (RFI) was issued in 2020, relating to the Long Range Air-to-Air Technology (LRAAT) program was subsequently issued to gather industry input on advanced missile capabilities and future development requirements relating to the JATM.[10] According to the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) 2023 fact sheet there is a new design of solid rocket fuel grains which allows to fit more propellant in a smaller volume enabling 1.5x greater range.[11][12][13]

In November 2021, it was revealed that the missile would have similar dimensions to the AIM-120 in order to ensure maximum compatibility with prior launch platform technology.[2] This would ensure compatibility with the F-22, which would allow for a decrease in the U.S. Air Force's fleet of F-22s due to the increase in combat effectiveness.[1] The exact range of the JATM is classified, as is that of its predecessor the AIM-120D-3 variant of the AMRAAM, but defense analysts expect it to outrange the AIM-120D-3 ranging 75–100 miles.[9] According to defense editor Steve Trimble, of Aviation Week, "We've seen charts for the Air Force range requirements for Eglin Air Force Base showing circles for the test area for AMRAAM and the test area for the JATM... the AIM-260 missile has a range circle that's roughly double the size of the AMRAAM circle."[4][14] Raytheon has suggested that with the range enhancements of the AIM-120D-3, it would serve as a complement to the JATM; the JATM would be an expensive "kick-the-door-down" weapon while the AMRAAM D3 would be a more affordable capacity missile.[15]

On 2 May 2023, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall told the Senate Armed Services Committee that JATM would "hopefully" enter production that year, as well as confirming that the JATM was expected to arm the Air Force's upcoming unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft.[16] According to Air Force Major Kevin Autrey, the lead F-22 Raptor operational test pilot with the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, live-fire testing of the AIM-260 was slated to begin in summer 2023.[9]

As of May 2024, the House Armed Services Committee was investigating whether more late-variant AMRAAMs would be required in light of the AIM-260 JATM not having entered full-scale production,[17] despite the USAF having previously stated in March 2023 that AIM-260 development and production was on-schedule.[18]

On 26 June 2025, the US military released FY2026 budget, and USAF and USN both requested in total $670.5 million for the AIM-260 JATM procurement and additional $687 million for the ongoing development of the JATM missile.[19][20]

On 15 October 2025, Air & Space Forces magazine was told by a top service official that JATM is not yet operational, citing issues with "integration" of the weapon on USAF's fifth-generation fighters, the F-22 and F-35. Another official disputed those comments, though, and said the program is "progressing well", though he acknowledged that it has missed its intended IOC date. The missile has been in test since 2020; the first platform planned to use it will be the F-22.[21]

On 13 May 2026, photos emerged of a F/A-18F of VX-31 carrying what is believed to be a live AIM-260A JATM missile.[22][23] An Australian F/A-18F was photographed carrying one of the missiles in September 2026.[24]

Future operators

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 United States
 Australia

See also

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Related lists

Missiles of similar role, configuration, and era

[edit]
  • Meteor – (France, United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden)
  • PL-15 – (China)
  • PL-17 – (China)

References

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  1. 1 2 Axe, David. "The USAF's new air to air missile, the AIM-260 JATM". Key aero. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 Newdick, Thomas (22 November 2021). "Testing of the Secretive New AIM-260 Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile Is Well Underway". The war zone. The Drive. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021.
  3. ↑ The USAF'S new air to air missile, the AIM-260 JATM, Key aero.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Trevithick, Joseph; Rogoway, Tyler (1 July 2019). "New AIM-260 Missiles Are so Secretive They Will Require a Custom Storage Bunker at Hill AFB". The War Zone. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (21 June 2019). "Meet The AIM-260, The Air Force And Navy's Future Long-Range Air-To-Air Missile". The War Zone. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  6. ↑ Everstine, Brian; Trimble, Steve (22 August 2026). "U.S. Navy Testing New Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile". Aviation Week & Space Technology. Retrieved 22 August 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Cohen, Rachel (20 June 2019). "Air Force Developing AMRAAM Replacement to Counter China". Air Force Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 November 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  8. ↑ "SAM". US government. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Trevithick, Joseph (2 May 2023). "Classified AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missiles To Arm Future Air Force Drones". The War Zone. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  10. ↑ "LRAAT RFI". SAM. US gov.
  11. ↑ "Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD)" (PDF).
  12. ↑ "RTX and Northrop Grumman conduct successful rocket motor tests for U.S. Army's Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor". United Technologies. Retrieved 2 September 2026. HLG is a solid propellant technology for rocket motors that provides longer burn time and more energy output...
  13. ↑ "Accelerating Tomorrow: How Northrop Grumman Leads in Solid Rocket Motor Innovation". Northrop Grumman news. Retrieved 2 September 2026. highly loaded grain motors are designed to pack more power into a smaller space. They use specially engineered grains that allow more propellant in a given volume, while also withstanding high internal forces and burning in a controlled, predictable way.
  14. ↑ "Podcast: The Long Road to AIM-260, the U.S.'s Newest Missile". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (10 September 2024). "Raytheon: AMRAAM and JATM Missiles 'Complementary' for Future Force Mix". Air & Space Forces Magazine.
  16. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (2 May 2023). "Kendall and Brown: JATM Will Start Production This Year, Equip Collaborative Combat Aircraft". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  17. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (21 May 2024). "Top Lawmaker Wants Report on Dogfight Missiles, Whether to Extend AMRAAM". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  18. ↑ Tirpak, John A. (6 April 2023). "Moore: 'It's Time to Move On' from Block 20 F-22s, JATM Still on Schedule". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  19. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (27 June 2025). "AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Funding to Start Production Sought in New Budget". The War Zone. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  20. ↑ Johnston, Carter (3 July 2025). "U.S. Navy Begins AIM-260 JATM Procurement in FY2026 Budget". Naval News. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
  21. ↑ Tirpak, John (13 October 2025). "Wilsbach Pledges Coordination with Navy on AMRAAM and JATM". Air & Space Forces Magazine. Retrieved 15 October 2025.
  22. ↑ "First Photo Emerges Of AIM-260A JATM Missile Carried By A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet". The Aviationist. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 15 May 2026.
  23. ↑ Trevithick, Joseph (15 May 2026). "Secretive AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile Finally Breaks Cover". TWZ.
  24. ↑ D'Urso, Stefano (1 October 2026). "RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet Spotted with AIM-260 During Gray Flag Test Event". The Aviationist. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  25. ↑ Johnston, Carter (28 November 2025). "USA Approves First AIM-260A JATM Export to Australia". Naval News. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  26. ↑ Newdick, Thomas (6 August 2026). "Australia To Become First Foreign Operator Of AIM-260 Air-To-Air Missile". TWZ. Retrieved 6 August 2026.
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