Range of 1,850 km: USA Wants Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

The US Air Force is preparing to hold a closed-door meeting with defense contractors to outline the requirements for a new ultra-long-range air-to-air missile.

The key feature of this next-generation weapon is expected to be its maximum range, which will be at least 1,850 km, according to The War Zone.

The new weapon has been officially named the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW).

The two-day classified event is being organized by the Weapons Directorate of the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The meeting with industry representatives is scheduled for August 25–26 at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

The military plans to engage several contractors to develop both a basic air-to-air variant and a unified air-to-surface version.

The primary mission for the new air-to-air missile will be to destroy high-priority air targets deep behind enemy lines.

This primarily refers to long-range early warning aircraft (LREW), aerial refueling aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft.

The need for weapons with a range exceeding 1,850 km stems from the specific nature of a potential future conflict in the Pacific region, particularly a confrontation with China.

China is actively investing in its own fleet of LREW aircraft and long-range missiles capable of pushing US aircraft out of the combat zone.

The US Department of Defense emphasizes that the AFLRW missile must utilize modular components and open-architecture systems.

To create a fully functional product, military leadership plans to select a so-called ‘prime integrator’ to bring together various technological elements.

Due to their likely large size, these missiles may become part of the arsenal of the next-generation strategic bombers, the B-21 Raider.