Two AIM-174B missiles were seen mounted under the wings of a U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. The aircraft was displayed alongside an F-35C Lightning II of VFA-147 inside Hangar 5300, drawing significant attention from attendees.
The Super Hornet carried two inert CATM-174B variants of the missile on the inner pylons, accompanied by an external fuel tank on the centerline. This marks what is likely the first public showing of the AIM-174B since its fielding by the U.S. Navy in mid-2024.
The AIM-174B was first spotted on U.S. Navy aircraft during the RIMPAC 2024 exercise, mounted on an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-192 “Golden Dragons,” CVW-2. Recent photographs confirm that the missile is now deployed with CVW-5, which is permanently forward-deployed and assigned to the USS George Washington (CVN 73).
The long-range missile is thought to be intended for use in the Pacific theatre, where it would address the challenges posed by China’s anti-access capabilities. Its extended range would make it suitable for targeting critical assets, including AEW&C and ISR aircraft, typically protected by long-range air defences.
The AIM-174B is based on the Standard Missile 6 (SM-6), repurposed for air-to-air combat. Originally designed as the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM), the SM-6 serves as the U.S. Navy’s primary long-range anti-air and anti-missile defence solution. It integrates with the Aegis Combat System on naval vessels, and its airframe, derived from the RIM-156A SM-2ER Block IV, enables it to achieve speeds up to Mach 3.5 with a range of 200 nautical miles.
Although typically launched from ships, the SM-6 has been tested in air-launched configurations since 2018, with further trials conducted in 2021. Deployment has increased significantly this year, with more operational units becoming involved.
In April 2024, the AIM-174 was first seen on an F/A-18, and in July of the same year, an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-192 was photographed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam carrying two AIM-174B missiles. This event marked the missile’s debut on a frontline platform during RIMPAC 2024.
By September, further images showed VX-9’s Super Hornet carrying four AIM-174s mounted on both inner and middle hardpoints, along with AIM-120s, setting a new benchmark for air-to-air load capacity. The aircraft was also equipped with the ASG-34A IRST integrated on the fuel tank, enhancing its radar and electronic warfare tracking capabilities.
While the air-launched AIM-174B’s maximum range is not officially stated, it is believed to surpass the surface-launched variant when released at high altitude and speed. This would position it among the longest-range air-to-air weapons available to the U.S. Navy, filling the gap left by the retired AIM-54 Phoenix.
The missile was acknowledged as operationally deployed with CVW-2 aboard the USS Carl Vinson in July, marking its Initial Operating Capability (IOC) and reinforcing the Navy’s long-range engagement capacity. Although only inert and training versions have been publicly displayed, it is likely that live missiles are now operational within the fleet.
