Inside Lockheed's mystery: $2B losses tied to new AIM‑260 missile
Defense industry giants are not short on orders. Even the largest companies, like Lockheed Martin, run programs that incur significant losses. One of these programs involves work on undisclosed new-generation aircraft ammunition, likely the successor to the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile—the new AIM-260 JATM missile. What do we know about it?
Lockheed Martin's mysterious losses have caught the attention of Air & Space Forces Magazine. Although the American arms manufacturer plans to deliver up to 190 F-35 aircraft to customers worldwide in 2025, its CEO, Jim Taiclet, also disclosed losses from two secret programs. One of these programs was described as "crucial for the air force."
Both programs have resulted in nearly $2 billion in losses. Although they are secret, the mention of one's importance for the air force has led to speculation about what new weapon is proving so costly. According to ASFM, this concerns the new-generation air-to-air missile, the AIM-260 JATM.
The AIM-260 JATM is the future of American aviation
The AIM-260 JATM (Joint Advanced Tactical Missile) is set to replace the widely used AIM-120 AMRAAM, which is classified as a medium-range air-to-air missile. In this context, medium range refers to a distance from 47 to over 99 miles, depending on the variant.
Detailed technical data about the new missile remain undisclosed, though its production likely began in 2024. It is known, however, that its range will be at least 124 miles. Unlike the European Meteor missile, the American missile will not use a ramjet engine. The speed of the AIM-260 is expected to surpass that of the AIM-120, reaching Mach 5.
The method by which the AIM-260 will guide itself to its target (potentially involving AESA radar) has not been confirmed and remains speculative. Nonetheless, the development of this new missile is a top priority and is considered a weapon of crucial importance for the American air force. It will be carried by F-22 and F-35 planes, as well as F/A-18E/F and F-15EX aircraft.
What factors influence the range of an aircraft missile?
While the range of the new missile exceeds that of the AMRAAM, it's important to remember that the raw distance does not tell the full story. The range of an aircraft missile depends on several factors, including the speed of the carrier, the altitude at which it is launched, and the target's altitude. The range significantly decreases when the missile must travel not only horizontally but also vertically over many miles.
These factors can cause the range of two identical missiles to vary depending on the type of aircraft they are launched from and the flight conditions at the time.
This is why the aircraft currently capable of the longest shot using the AIM-120 missile is the older F-15, rather than the more modern 5th generation combat aircraft, as demonstrated by tests conducted by the American air force.
