The US Air Force’s F-22 Raptor has achieved the longest known AIM-120 AMRAAM missile shot, according to Raytheon. The Fall 2024 test near Eglin AFB used the upgraded F3R version, showcasing extended range and improved lethality. While the exact distance is classified, the milestone reflects US efforts to enhance air-to-air missile capabilities amid rising threats from China and Russia, reports The War Zone. They write:

The AIM-120D-3, part of the F3R program, features advanced targeting and data-link capabilities. The test also highlights ongoing F-22 upgrades aimed at keeping the jet combat-ready into the 2040s.

Despite newer systems like the AIM-260 on the horizon, the AMRAAM remains a crucial part of US air power, with over 6,000 successful live fires and proven long-range effectiveness. They write:

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor has achieved what is, according to missile manufacturer Raytheon, the longest known AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) shot. Exactly how far away the fighter was from its target when it fired the radar-guided weapon is unclear, but the milestone points both to the continued development of the AMRAAM’s capabilities as well as the growing focus, across the U.S. military, on extended-range air-to-air missiles to keep pace with developments in China and Russia. […]

The F3R program was developed for the existing AIM-120C-8 and AIM-120D-3 AMRAAMs, which already represent the ‘top of the line’ for these missiles. Of these, the D-model already offers some significant advantages, including a two-way datalink with third-party targeting capabilities. […]

In recent months, the U.S. Navy has introduced, at least on a limited level, an air-launched version of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) under the AIM-174B designation. The range of this weapon is classified but should be far in excess of that of the AIM-120D, probably at least double and perhaps even triple the range, against large targets. […]

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