U.S. Joint Strike Drones will receive a secret AIM-260 JATM missile and will work in conjunction with sixth-generation fighters

The U.S. Air Force intends to lay the groundwork for the accelerated production of the secret AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), which will become a replacement for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The new weapon is being developed for fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation fighters, but U.S. Air Force officials said during a speech to Congress that drones will also be equipped with JATM.

Here's What We Know

We're talking about the Cooperative Combat Aircraft (CCA) drones being developed as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Drones with AIM-260 JATM missiles will work closely with manned sixth generation fighters.

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Charles Q. Brown emphasized that the JATM is a very important component for the CCA program. It was previously reported that the service wants to develop 1,000 drones: 600 for the F-35A Lightning II and 400 for the fifth-sixth generation fighters. The pilot of each aircraft would fly two drones.

The first JATM carrier will be the F-22 Raptor. The F-35 Lightning II, F-15EX Eagle II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and the sixth generation fighter will also be able to launch the AIM-260, which will be available in about 12 years.

Source: The War Zone