U.S. Navy Unveils AIM-424 Malice Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile

The U.S. Navy has publicly unveiled the AIM-424 Malice, a next-generation long-range air-to-air missile, during the Tailhook Symposium held in Reno, Nevada, in August 2026. The weapon, also designated the Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM), is engineered to provide carrier-based and land-based fighters with a significant standoff advantage, enabling engagements at ranges exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 kilometers).

Developed by Raytheon, the AIM-424 is designed for integration with fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-generation aircraft, including the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the F-35C Lightning II, and future sixth-generation platforms. Navy images released alongside the announcement show four of the missiles loaded onto an F/A-18E Super Hornet of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23, with the test event depicted dating to April 2026. Another image confirms the missile can be carried within the internal weapons bay of the stealth F-35C, a feature that preserves the aircraft's low-observable profile.

According to the Navy, the AIM-424 measures 13.5 feet in length, 13.5 inches in diameter, and weighs 1,500 pounds. It uses a solid-propellant rocket motor and carries a...