Recently, in a DVIDS photo by Seaman Shepard Fosdyke Jackson, a F/A-18E was seen prior to takeoff with the AIM-174B BVRAAM onboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
The U.S. Navy is spreading the use of AIM-174B across its carriers to make sure the Super Hornet fighters will remain relevant in air combat for some more time, with the F/A-XX programme still in works and F-35C’s wide-scale introduction ongoing.
USS Abraham Lincoln, being a part of INDOPACOM, and the exercise’s location are attention-worthy aspects of this instance.
AIM-174B BVRAAM
AIM-174B was officially unveiled in 2024, but was spotted far earlier on the Super Hornet fighter. The air-to-air missile, directly developed from the SM-6 (RIM-174) long-range air defence missiles of the U.S. Navy destroyers, marks the reintroduction of BVRAAMs with extreme ranges for the first time in decades following the retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix of the F-14 Tomcat.
Like SM-6, AIM-174B incorporates an active radar seeker based on AIM-120 AMRAAM’s technology with midcourse guidance updates through datalink open to input from the launch platform, E-2D AEW&C, or even ships.
Compared to AIM-120D AMRAAM, which is the longest ranged variant with an instrumented range of 160+ km, AIM-174B’s significantly larger airframe is suspected to result in ranges at least comparable to SM-6, rated for 370 km. However, it is noteworthy that extreme ranges will require either powerful radars close to the fighter (Such as SPY-6 radar) or a friendly to act as a remote sensor to provide the needed midcourse guidance (AEW&C or fighters at the front).
Long Range Capabilities Matter
Indo-Pacific as a large theatre with China that has made considerable investment in long-range platforms and missiles has caused a shift in the U.S. Navy’s air combat doctrine towards leaning on enlarging the combat envelope by various means in addition to the introduction of the stealthy F-35C and the presence of E-2D AEW&C.
Some of the challenges posed by China could be given as:
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PL-15 and Other New BVRAAMs → China has increased the prowess of its BVRAAMs in the last few years, with examples such as PL-15 (Which was used for a 100++ km kill on an Indian Rafale) and PL-17. New propulsion technologies like dual-pulse rockets and AESA seekers play a pivotal role.
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AEW&C Aircraft → Multiple AEW&C types of different sizes that can perform early warning and possibly support the SAMs or BVRAAMs in midcourse guidance. In addition to PLAAF, PLAN will also start utilising AEW&C aircraft.
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New CATOBAR Ships → Type 003 Fujian aircraft carrier and Type 076 LHD, both employing EMALS to allow full load for fighters/UCAVs, which ultimately contributes to operational radius.
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New Fighters → Introduction of J-20, which is seen to be capable of using the BVRAAMs as mentioned earlier, and the emergence of other new fighters like J-36, which appears to lean on range, sensors, and long-range weaponry.
The means employed/in-works by the U.S. are based on platforms or onboard equipment but serve the same goal of having a longer reach than the legacy air combat wing:
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AIM-174B BVRAAM → Long-Range BVRAAM based on the SM-6 (RIM-174) long-range air defence missile, with the removal of the booster, significantly larger and longer ranged than AIM-120D AMRAAM.
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Fighter-to-Fighter Refuelling → Configuring F/A-18E Super Hornets exclusively with fuel tanks and refuelling equipment to act as tanker buddies instead of engaging in combat.
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MQ-25 → Unmanned tanker aircraft that is better optimised than retrofitted Super Hornets, also has low observability and better endurance.
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F/A-XX → The upcoming replacement for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is anticipated to focus on range and possibly more armament capacity than F-35C, in addition to sensors and stealth.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
