AIM-260 spotted in the wild.https://theaviationist.com/2026/05/15/aim-260-jatm-on-super-hornet/
>>65157364very based
Nice
The wikipedia says the F16 won't get the AIM-260. Any reason for that?
>>65157364IIRC this thing is just high ISP solid fuel without a ramjet isn't it?
>>65157467>>65157478We really don't know anything about it besides that it is the same size as an AIM-120.
>>65157364Is this the modern aim54 or was that a different project? I remember it fatter.
>>65157532You are thinking of AIM-174 which is an air launched SM-6, but that is setting aside how an AIM-120D already outranges an AIM-54.
>>65157543what's the point then?
>>65157666That's part of the mystery, outside of its size and appearance we don't know what the AIM-260 is all about.
>>65157683Yes we do, it's about getting more range out of internal bay launched weapons. The F-22 and F-35 can't fit an AIM-174 internally, but presumably can carry 4-6 AIM-260.
>>65157696If that was all it was then there would be no reason to be so secretive about it that even its appearance was hidden until recently.
>>65157683That's part of the mysteryIt really isn't
>>65157734nice try, chink
>>65157478Last I heard is basically an amraam with smaller warhead, lighter electronics, and 50% more fuel
>>65157683>outside of its size and appearance we don't know what the AIM-260 is all aboutYes we do. The USAF has publicly commented on the program countering foreign missiles that outrange the AIM-120. It's literally in the OP article, retard.The PL-15 and PL-17 have longer legs than the AIM-120D. The AIM-174 is a kludge to counter that on non-stealth aircraft, and the AIM-260 is a rush program to counter that while still fitting in the internal weapon bays of aircraft that were designed around the AIM-120.Either the US is working on an air breather and we just haven't see it yet, or they honestly think that stealth will allow them to close with PLAF aircraft and the extra range of air breathing missiles won't matter tactically to the US. That's the question, not "what is the AIM-260 for?"
>>65157817>The USAF has publicly commented on the program countering foreign missiles that outrange the AIM-120."Sources damiliar with the matter" is not the USAF commenting.
>>65157817Lucky that the PLAAF is already fielding the PL-16, which will match or out-range the AIM-260nuthin personell, trump
>>65160663>just in, china says it does everything better than its rival. their source is they made it the fuck up
>>65157817Basically all simulations that work mostly off of the stated stats of the home countries of weapons put together a situation where air launched air to air missiles are constrained by sight rather than missile range. So a Chinese fourth gen and an American fifth gen flying head on at each other gives the fifth gen a practical range advantage that is fairly substantial. The question I have is how exactly the actual battlefields are going to look in a situation like this, because obviously we’re not going to send jets to 1v1 each other, there’s going to be ground and ship based radar, as well as launchers, all over the place. At this point, the primary utility for longer range American missiles is spamming them from further and further outside of Chinese air defense envelopes, which on the usefulness scale I think I’d give a solid 6 out of 10? For China the main utility is going to be having more air assets able to fire on stealth assets when they’re detected, or on non-stealth assets like AWACS. I give this a usefulness rating of 3 out of 10, it’s a lot more niche, their current missiles already greatly outrange the detection ranges their airborne radars are going to be reliably getting. If I was China I would be going all in on maximally maneuverable medium range air to air missiles, and complete radar saturation from the ground with most long range anti-air weapons being ground emplacements. Firing ultra long range anti-air missiles at American EW craft is going to be a pretty minor return on investment when they’re going to be the easiest missiles to track and jam.
>>65157482If arguing with thirdies online about military hardware has taught me anything, its that literally everything is a matter of size. So, if its the same size then its completely worthless and this time for real the final indicator that the west has fallen.
>>65160663>PL-16Isn't it just a PL-15 with a slightly reworked body and folding fins to make it fit inside the J-20?
>>65160808PL-15 already fits inside the J-20, I think they want to cram in more missiles
>>65157817>literallyStop using this word, Fucking Faggot.STOP DOING IT.
>>65160882you're literally seething
>>65160882You're literally malding
>>65160663It's fun how China oversells their missile range while America undersells theirs.
>>65160885>>65160904
>>65157478liquid fuel with NaK and chlorine tri-fluoride
>>65157543AIM-120D needs to do a retardedly parabolic loft in order to achieve that max range. Target would be entirely outside of the engagement envelope with even a slight crank
>>65157666>Why would the military want a missile that's like the current one but better?Truly a mystery for the ages.
>>65161492>It's easier to evade a missile at the edge of it's envelope What an incredible observation, I'm sure the air force will be shocked to find out.
>>65157817>The AIM-174 is a kludge to counter that on non-stealth aircraftGood thing that's the only kind chang has.
