The Navy has officially confirmed the development of a long-speculated weapon: an air-launched variant of the highly adaptable and powerful ship-launched SM-6 missile, now designated as the AIM-174.
This substantial air-to-air missile, designed to be carried by the F/A-18 Super Hornet, boasts a range that surpasses any other missile in the U.S. arsenal. While it’s still uncertain whether the AIM-174 will inherit the SM-6’s dual capabilities for anti-ship and land attack, its potential roles in anti-air and possibly anti-ballistic missile operations could be groundbreaking. The missile is clearly designed to leverage the Pentagon’s evolving ‘kill webs,’ particularly in countering China’s formidable anti-access strategies by targeting its critical force-multiplying assets. This article delves into how the AIM-174 could function and the strategic advantages it offers.
