AIM-424 Malice Long-Range Missile: The U.S. Navy has revealed a new air-to-air missile called the AIM-424 Long Range Air-to-Air Missile, or LRAAM. The missile is also known as “Malice”. It was made public in August 2026 after being kept largely out of public view. The Navy says it is being developed to give American aircraft more range and better chances against modern enemy aircraft.
The AIM-424 is being developed by Raytheon. The Navy gives its range as more than 250 nautical miles, which is around 463 kilometres. This makes it an extremely long-range air-to-air weapon. The missile is planned for 4th, 5th and 6th generation aircraft. Official images have shown the weapon being carried by the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the F-35C. It is also expected to work with the future F/A-XX fighter.
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AIM-424 Malice is much Bigger than AIM-120
The new missile is much larger than the AIM-120 AMRAAM that is widely used by U.S. fighter aircraft. According to the Navy, the AIM-424 is 4.11 metres long and has a diameter of 0.34 metres. Its wingspan is 0.67 metres. It weighs about 680.4 kg, or 1,500 pounds. The missile uses a solid-propellant rocket motor and has a blast fragmentation warhead.
The large size is important because a missile designed to travel such a long distance needs enough room for its motor and other systems. The AIM-424 has also been shown inside the weapons bay of the F-35C, meaning the aircraft can carry it internally while keeping its low-observable design.
The Navy describes the weapon as a way to keep American aircraft at a greater distance from dangerous targets. Its official description says:
“LRAAM sustains the Department’s first look, first shot, first kill advantage by providing our aviators greater reach, greater survivability, and greater tactical flexibility in the air-to-air fight. Built for 4th, 5th, and 6th generation platforms, LRAAM is designed for the air wing of today and the future.”
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China’s PL-17 and the Push for Longer Range
The development of the AIM-424 comes as long-range air combat becomes more important. China is known to operate the PL-17, a very large air-to-air missile that is widely estimated to have a range of around 500 kilometres. Public information about the exact performance of the PL-17 remains limited, so its real combat range cannot be confirmed with certainty.
Russia has also developed long-range weapons such as the R-37M. It is designed to attack targets from far away and is especially associated with aircraft such as the MiG-31. The R-37 family has helped Russia maintain a strong long-range air-to-air capability.
Longer-range missiles are becoming more important because modern fighters now use better radar, electronic warfare systems and data links. Aircraft can also receive information from other platforms instead of depending only on their own radar. This allows pilots to find and attack threats without getting too close.
The AIM-424 is being developed with this type of battle in mind. The Navy says the weapon is meant to increase range, lethality, survivability and combat effectiveness for naval and Marine aviation forces. The missile is already undergoing flight testing, making Malice one of the newest major additions to the U.S. long-range air-to-air weapon family.
