A new variant of the Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM), possibly designated as the AIM-120E, may now be in development, signaling continued evolution in the U.S. military’s air-to-air missile capabilities.
Hints of this potential new missile surfaced after the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) issued a notice confirming a sole-source contract awarded to Raytheon, now operating as RTX, earlier in March. This contract, valued at just under $95 million, focuses on an AMRAAM Risk Reduction Processor Upgrade but does not explicitly mention the AIM-120E. However, additional government documentation suggests that discussions of an “E” variant have been ongoing since at least 2018.
The AFLCMC’s notice, released yesterday, came with a redacted Justification & Approval (J&A) document that dates back to 2018. The document explicitly mentions the AIM-120E as a designation for a future variant beyond the current AIM-120D. While the Air Force has not confirmed the existence of an AIM-120E development effort, the reference to the designation raises questions about its potential role.
“Raytheon will produce and sustain the AIM-120 missile variants and associated configurations for U.S. customers, and variants/associated configurations authorized for release to Foreign Military Sales (FMS),” the J&A document states. It then explicitly excludes “any potential next generation variants developed after the AIM-120D (i.e., AIM-120E and beyond).”
When asked whether this designation reflects an actual project, an AFLCMC spokesperson responded, “We don’t have any details that we can provide at this time.”
The biggest unknown is whether an AIM-120E would be a minor evolutionary update or a significant redesign. The U.S. Air Force and Navy are now required by law to assess extended-range versions of both the AIM-120 and AIM-9X Sidewinder, with the goal of closing capability gaps in air combat.
One possibility is that the AIM-120E could serve as a stopgap measure before full-scale deployment of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM). The AIM-260 is expected to replace AMRAAM in the long term, but its rollout has been slower than anticipated. Originally slated for service entry in 2022, there are no clear indications that it has been fielded yet, despite ongoing testing.
A future AIM-120E could offer incremental improvements in range, seeker capability, and electronic warfare resilience. Given advancements in adversary air-to-air missile technology, particularly from China, an upgrade to AMRAAM could help ensure U.S. and allied fighter aircraft remain dominant in aerial engagements.
The U.S. has been increasingly concerned about China’s rapid progress in developing long-range air-to-air missiles. Reports suggest that China is working on missiles capable of reaching targets up to 1,000 miles away, potentially posing a serious threat to U.S. and allied aircraft.
In response, the Pentagon has prioritized the development of new air-to-air weapons, including the AIM-260 and the Navy’s AIM-174B—a modified air-launched version of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6). The highly classified AIM-260 is designed to fit inside the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, ensuring they maintain a low radar signature.
However, delays in AIM-260 deployment could create a capability gap, making an upgraded AMRAAM a viable near-term solution.
One intriguing possibility is that the AIM-120E could incorporate technology from the AMRAAM-Extended Range (AMRAAM-ER) variant. Raytheon has already developed the AMRAAM-ER for use with the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), integrating components of the AIM-120 with the booster section of the RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM).
While the AMRAAM-ER is currently intended for ground-based air defense, discussions of an air-launched version date back to at least 2021. If an AIM-120E were based on the AMRAAM-ER, it could offer significantly greater range, possibly exceeding 100 miles.
However, adapting the AMRAAM-ER for air launch presents challenges. A key consideration would be whether the modified missile could still fit within the internal weapons bays of stealth aircraft like the F-35. If not, an externally carried version might be required, which would reduce stealth effectiveness.
The AMRAAM has undergone continuous improvements since its introduction in the late 1980s. The AIM-120D, introduced in the mid-2010s, brought significant upgrades, including increased range, enhanced seeker performance, and a two-way datalink for third-party targeting. In 2021, an F-15C Eagle set a record for the longest air-to-air missile shot using an AIM-120D, highlighting its effectiveness.
The AIM-120D-3, the most advanced known variant, further refines the missile’s capabilities with a new System Improvement Program 3F (SIP-3F) software update. Additional upgrades, such as the SIP-4 update currently in development, suggest that the AMRAAM is still evolving.
Historically, significant software and hardware updates have led to new designations within the AIM-120 family. The original AIM-120D emerged from incremental improvements to the AIM-120C, and the AIM-120C-8 variant for foreign military sales is believed to have capabilities close to the baseline D model.
If the AIM-120E represents a major hardware upgrade—such as a new propulsion system, seeker, or warhead—it would justify the new designation. However, if it is a software-driven improvement, it might simply be a continuation of the existing D-series.
Despite new missile programs on the horizon, AMRAAM remains a vital part of the U.S. military’s arsenal. With exports to more than 40 countries, it is one of the most widely used air-to-air missiles in the world. In addition to its primary role in air combat, AMRAAM has been adapted for air-to-ground use, including its recent deployment to Ukraine.
As advanced threats continue to emerge, the U.S. military appears committed to keeping AMRAAM relevant. Whether through software updates, new propulsion technology, or an entirely new missile variant, the AIM-120 series is likely to remain in service for decades to come.
If an AIM-120E is indeed in development, more details could emerge in future budget requests or industry briefings. Given the highly classified nature of air-to-air missile programs, official confirmation may take time.
What is clear is that the U.S. military is determined to maintain its air superiority. Whether through incremental AMRAAM improvements or the introduction of next-generation missiles like the AIM-260, the focus remains on countering emerging threats from adversaries such as China and Russia.
The AIM-120E continues, but the possibility of a new AMRAAM variant suggests that the U.S. military is not yet ready to retire its most battle-proven air-to-air missile.
