Recently, the Armament Directorate at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida released an information request showing that the US Air Force is seeking two new types of missiles: one with a size similar to the current AIM-120 AMRAAM, aiming for maximum range and low cost; the other is only half the size of the AMRAAM, to increase the weapons load capacity of fighters and drones. This not only reflects the US military's concerns about "magazine depth," but also highlights the importance of air defense missions in future air combat, rather than simply seizing air superiority. The US Air Force is accelerating the development of low-cost, high-speed, small air-to-air missiles to equip its new loyal wingman drones and other platforms, marking a major shift in its operational concepts.
This move by the US Air Force directly targets the growing threat of low-cost adversaries such as drones and subsonic cruise missiles. Recent operations in the Red Sea have shown that using expensive AIM-120D (over $1 million per unit) or AIM-9X (about $450,000 per unit) to intercept inexpensive targets is not economical. The target cost of the new missile is only $250,000, with a production cycle requirement to reach a capacity of 1000 rounds within 24 months after contract award, demonstrating the urgent need of the US military for rapid deployment and cost-effectiveness.
The design of the small missile is particularly suitable for platforms such as loyal wingman drones and armed reconnaissance-drones, which are intended to act as "missile trucks" to provide firepower support for fighters like F-15E and F-16. The procurement requirements also mention the possibility of ground-based launch, indicating that the US military is exploring multi-platform and multi-purpose air defense systems. This flexibility is especially critical for countering the long-range strike capabilities of opponents like China.
The US Air Force's procurement requirements emphasize open system architecture, mature hardware reuse, and bidirectional data links, indicating its intention to reduce costs and enhance missile flexibility through technological integration. However, the F-35 and F-22 stealth fighters are not explicitly mentioned as potential carriers for the new missiles, suggesting that the US military may prioritize equipping non-stealth platforms and drones with these weapons. This may indicate that the US military has yet to find an ideal solution for the "magazine depth" issue of stealth fighters.
In addition, the focus on "medium-maneuverability" targets such as AWACS and bombers in the procurement requirements indicates that the new missile is more suitable for air defense than high-intensity air combat. This aligns with the US military's recent experiences in the Middle East dealing with Iranian drone and missile attacks, but also exposes its relative conservatism in advanced air combat capabilities.
In contrast, the Chinese Air Force has made significant progress in the field of air-to-air missiles. China's PL-15 missile has a range far exceeding that of the AIM-120D and has been widely equipped on advanced aircraft such as the J-20. Additionally, China has demonstrated systematic advantages in integrating drones and long-range air defense systems (such as improved versions of HQ-9 and S-400). The US Air Force's pursuit of cheap missiles is, to some extent, a response to China's leadership in ammunition range and production capacity. However, China has established an advantage in developing and mass-producing high-performance weapon systems, particularly in the areas of drones and cruise missiles, where its cost-effectiveness may further erode the traditional technical advantages of the US military. China has equipped its armed reconnaissance-drones and attack helicopters with specialized air-to-air missiles such as the TY-90, and there are various affordable air defense missiles on display at the Zhuhai Airshow, indicating our mature and affordable drone industrial chain.
The US Air Force's pursuit of affordable air-to-air missiles reflects its rethinking of future air combat forms: shifting from seizing air superiority to building multi-layered air defense systems. However, China's long-range missiles, drones, and air defense systems have formed a comprehensive advantage, which may take the initiative in future air combat. Whether the US military can reverse the situation through rapid development and deployment of low-cost missiles remains to be tested over time.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511899224046191139/
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