The US Air Force's AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM)
The Next Generation of Air-Launched Missiles
The United States Department of Defense (DoD) considers the AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) program to be the number one air-delivered weapon priority for both the Air Force and the Navy. The AIM-260 is a new beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) that is being developed to replace the AIM-120 AMRAAM. The AIM-260 has a number of advantages over the AIM-120, including a longer range, a more powerful warhead, and improved countermeasures resistance.
Capabilities of the AIM-260
The AIM-260 is a stealthy missile with a range of over 100 miles. It is equipped with a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that provides it with a wider field of view and improved target tracking capabilities. The AIM-260 also has a more powerful warhead than the AIM-120, which makes it more effective against heavily armored targets.
In addition to its improved capabilities, the AIM-260 is also more affordable than the AIM-120. The DoD estimates that the AIM-260 will cost approximately half as much as the AIM-120. This will allow the Air Force and Navy to purchase more AIM-260s and equip more of their aircraft with them.
Development and Deployment of the AIM-260
The AIM-260 is currently in development and is expected to enter service in the early 2020s. The Air Force and Navy are planning to purchase a total of over 4,000 AIM-260s. The AIM-260 will be deployed on a variety of aircraft, including the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and F/A-18 Super Hornet.
The AIM-260 and the Future of Air Combat
The AIM-260 is a significant upgrade over the AIM-120 and will provide the Air Force and Navy with a major advantage in future conflicts. The AIM-260's longer range, more powerful warhead, and improved countermeasures resistance will make it more difficult for enemy aircraft to evade or defeat. The AIM-260 is a key part of the Air Force's and Navy's plan to maintain air superiority in the 21st century.
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