A US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet set a new record by achieving the longest-ever recorded shot with the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile, according to manufacturer Raytheon.
The test took place in the airspace near Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and demonstrated the missile’s extended flight capability, enhancing its lethality on fifth-generation aircraft. Although exact distance details were not disclosed, the achievement highlights the importance of keeping the AMRAAM updated, even with the arrival of its successor, the AIM-260.
The version used was the F3R, developed to improve the performance of the most advanced AMRAAM models. These upgrades complement a modernization package for the F-22 itself, which is expected to receive new sensors, defensive systems, and stealth fuel tanks to extend its range and keep it operational for the coming decades.
The shot also underscores the U.S. military’s investment in long-range air-to-air missiles, in response to similar developments in China and Russia.
Currently, China operates the PL-15 missile, considered more advanced than the AIM-120D, and is developing even longer-range versions such as the PL-17 and PL-16. Russia, meanwhile, claims that the R-37M can hit targets up to 200 km away and has already deployed it in combat in Ukraine.
In this context, the United States is accelerating programs such as the AIM-260 and AIM-174B, while emphasizing that the AMRAAM, despite over 30 years of service, remains relevant and widely used in dozens of countries.
Source: The War Zone | Photo: X @Defence_IDA | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇺🇸✈️ BREAKING – The U.S. F-22 Raptor has set a record by firing the longest-range AIM-120 AMRAAM shot in history. According to Raytheon, the test demonstrates that extended-range air-to-air missiles can significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of 5th-generation fighters.… pic.twitter.com/VvkT6L6Nan
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