The US Air Force and Navy will deploy the upgraded AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM missile, while development of the classified AIM-260 JATM missile continues

Raytheon has announced that the latest version of the AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missile has been cleared for deployment. It will close a gap that could have been created before the acceptance of the classified AIM-260 JATM missile.

Here's What We Know

The US Air Force and Navy will be able to adopt the AIM-120D-3 AMRAAM. The missile has undergone a functional configuration audit (FCA). A press release from Raytheon states that the AIM-120D-3 will be operational by the end of 2023.

The missile has undergone a Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) upgrade programme. The D-3 version has received 15 upgraded chips and the latest software. The missile has tremendous potential to counter current and future threats. According to Raytheon, technicians will be able to upgrade the AIM-120-D-3 software during its life cycle.

The AIM-120 ARMAAM is in use on 14 platforms in 42 countries. Raytheon will continue to develop the programme, focusing on the D-3 and C-8 variants. Production of the AIM-120 has gradually declined. In FY2022, 317 units were procured and in FY2023, 271 units were procured.

This was due to the US Air Force's desire to transition to the AIM-260 JATM classified missile and achieve operational capability in FY2022. However, the budget for FY2024, FY2025 and FY2026 planned to procure 457, 462 and 664 missiles respectively, with further reductions to 118 units in FY2027, 9 units in FY2028 and another 27 units by the end of the programme.

We recently learned that the increase in AIM-120 procurement does not mean that the service is experiencing problems with the development of the AIM-260. Lieutenant General Richard G. Moore Jr. said so in early April. According to him, against the background of the war in Ukraine, now all the services are trying to invest in the production of the most demanded munitions.

Source: Raytheon