In addition to procurement, both services have jointly earmarked $687 million for the continued development and production of the missile system. The AIM-260A, developed by Lockheed Martin, is intended to complement and potentially replace the currently deployed AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Although no official technical specifications have been released, government sources indicate the missile will include an active radar homing head and a bidirectional data link for in-flight trajectory adjustments. It is also reported to incorporate an inertial navigation system, enhancing its guidance capabilities.
The missile is expected to reach speeds of up to Mach 5, though its operational range remains classified. According to open sources, the range will be ‘significantly greater’ than that of the AIM-120D-3, whose specifications have also not been publicly disclosed.
The AIM-260 is being designed for use across both carrier-based and conventional aircraft platforms. Deployment of the missile will mark a significant advancement in long-range aerial combat capabilities for the U.S. Armed Forces.
