Navy unveils new long-range Malice missile for current and future fighter jets

During the Cold War, the U.S. Navy fielded the iconic AIM-54 Phoenix missile. Fired by the F-14 Tomcat and guided by radar, the Phoenix was upgraded to an operational range of nearly 100 nautical miles. This allowed the Tomcat to engage enemy aircraft at extremely long distance from the carrier.

Retired in 2004, the Phoenix appears to have a spiritual successor in the new AIM-424 Malice missile.

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Publicly announced by the Navy on August 22, 2026, the AIM-424 is the Navy’s latest Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (LRAAM). The Phoenix was replaced by the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) which has a range of 86 nautical miles in its latest variant.

To fill the long-range requirement against a near-peer adversary, the Navy converted the RIM-174B Standard Extended Range Active Missile (ERAM) from a surface-to-air missile to an air-to-air missile. Designated the AIM-174B Gunslinger, it was first spotted on a F/A-18 Super Hornet in 2021 and has a confirmed range of at least 150 nautical miles.

However, the Gunslinger is extremely large measuring 15.5-feet long and 13.5-inches in diameter. Developed as a dedicated air-to-air missile, the new AIM-424 LRAAM is the same diameter, but 2-feet shorter than the Gunslinger.

“Also known as the Malice, the LRAAM directly supports the Department’s contribution to integrated deterrence by increasing range, lethality, and combat effectiveness for Marine and Naval Aviation forces that are defending our fleets, our interests, and our homeland,” the Navy notes. “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.”

Crucially, the Malice is also 400 pounds lighter, reducing the takeoff weight of the aircraft carrying it. An F/A-18E Super Hornet has been photographed carrying four Malice missiles.

Designed to assume the role temporarily filled by the Gunslinger, the Malice boasts a range of over 250 nautical miles. While the missile’s speed has not been released, it is confirmed to use a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor.

With renewed concern for a near-peer fight against China or Russia, the Navy has to be able to engage enemy fighters as far away from an aircraft carrier as possible. In the event of a naval campaign in the western Pacific, U.S. ships will also be under threat of land-based ballistic missiles; China’s DF-21D has a range of 780 nautical miles. The Malice’s guidance system has not been unveiled, but it may be a counter to this type of threat.

Already in flight testing, the Malice is being developed by Raytheon for deployment externally on the F/A-18 Super Hornet and internally on the F-35 Lightning II. Moreover, the Malice will also be deployable from the Navy’s future strike fighter, designated the F/A-XX.

“Built for 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th generation platforms,” the Navy said, “LRAAM is designed for the air wing of today and the future.”

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