The US Air Force will dramatically increase funding for AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles for the F-22 and F-35 fifth-generation fighters, but this will not affect the transition to the AIM-260 JATM
The U.S. Air Force plans to significantly increase investment in the production of AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). It was announced by Lieutenant General Richard G. Moore Jr. who serves as Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs of the US Air Force.
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During his speech, Moore focused on the cost of operating the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor fighters. We have written about this more than once before. The U.S. Air Force wants to write off 32 of the aircraft in 2024 and use the money saved to develop a fifth-generation fighter.
Richard G. Moore, Jr. said that the US Air Force plans to increase funding for AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles. Of course, he was then asked whether this decision was an indirect indication that the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) project was in trouble.
The lieutenant general said the JATM programme is progressing in line with the timeline. The US Air Force sees no delays and wants to transition to the new air-to-air missiles as soon as possible.
The war in Ukraine demonstrated the need to ramp up production of all munitions. The U.S. was experiencing supply difficulties and now the industry is picking up as fast as it can.
Ammunition production was one of the key issues discussed during the US Congress budget hearings. Lawmakers want to know how the Pentagon will respond to the situation, and Moore said that all services are now investing in the production of the most sought-after munitions.
As for the AIM-260 JATM, it is a long-range missile being developed by Lockheed Martin as a replacement for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. It is expected to be able to destroy targets at a distance of 200 km. The JATM will be carried by the fifth generation F-22 / F-35 and the fourth generation F-15EX / F-18 Super Hornet fighters.
Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine
