The U.S. Air Force's New Missile Will Counter Chinese Fighters

AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. The AIM-260 will be of similar size but with a considerably longer range. U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Caitlin Russell

Popular Mechanics: The U.S.'s New Missile Will Counter Chinese Fighters

The AIM-260 will “out stick” enemy fighters, shooting them down before they can shoot back.

The U.S. has been quietly working on a new air-to-air missile meant to “out-stick” next generation Chinese and Russian missiles. The existence of the AIM-260, or Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, was revealed last week, with the expectation for the missile to enter service in 2022.

Air Force Weapons Program Executive Officer Brig. Gen. Anthony Genatempo revealed the existence of the Joint Advanced Tactical Missile to reporters, stating that it had been under development since 2017. Flight tests will begin in 2021 and the missile is expected to reach initial operational capability—a point at which the missile will start reaching fighter units—in 2022.

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WNU Editor: Russian and Chinese advances in their air force are the reasons for this new missile.