The U.S. is developing an ultra-long-range missile with a range of more than 1,850 kilometers
The U.S. Air Force has begun preparations to develop a new ultra-long-range air-to-air missile capable of striking targets at a range of at least 1,850 kilometers. The prospective weapon has been named the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW).
According to U.S. defense media reports, military leadership plans to hold a closed-door meeting with representatives of the defense industry, during which key technical requirements for the new missile will be outlined.
The classified event will take place on August 25–26 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. It is being organized by the Directorate of Weapons of the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.
The primary mission of the AFLRW will be to destroy high-value air targets deep behind enemy lines.
First and foremost, these include:
- long-range early warning aircraft (LREW);
- air refueling aircraft;
- electronic warfare aircraft;
- other strategically important aerial platforms.
The military is also considering the possibility of developing a unified version of an air-to-surface missile, which would allow for the use of common technologies and components.
The need for a missile with a range exceeding 1,850 kilometers stems from a potential future conflict in the Pacific region.
Officials in Washington recognize that China is actively developing its own fleet of early warning and reconnaissance aircraft, electronic warfare systems, and long-range weapons, which could complicate U.S. air operations near the combat zone.
The new missile is designed to enable the destruction of critical enemy targets without requiring the launch vehicle to enter a danger zone.
One of the key requirements for the AFLRW will be the use of modular components and an open architecture. This approach will allow for faster modernization of the missile and the integration of new technologies without a complete redesign of the system.
To implement the program, the U.S. Air Force plans to select a “prime integrator” who will be responsible for combining all technological solutions into a single system.
Given the prospective missile’s substantial size, experts suggest that one of its primary carriers could be the latest strategic bomber, the B-21 Raider, which is viewed as a key element of the future U.S. Air Force.
The development of the AFLRW could become one of the U.S. Air Force’s most ambitious missile projects and significantly shift the balance of capabilities in the field of long-range air-launched weapons.
This was reported by The War Zone.
As a reminder, European defense giant MBDA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Kyiv State Design Bureau “Luch” to develop a new variant of the cruise missile called “Neptune-2.”
The new “Neptune” can strike targets at ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers
Video: The “Neptune” missile was tested in Ukraine; it is now impossible to “detect” it
