The US Navy's new Gunslinger missile is a massive leap in long-range aerial combat
In short: The AIM-174B Gunslinger is a formidable air-to-air missile that restores the United States Navy's long-range reach. Weighing 1,900 pounds and capable of speeds exceeding Mach 3.5, this outsized weapon is designed to counter advanced threats from peer adversaries, marking a significant evolution in how the military projects power from the skies.
Formally revealed in July 2024, the AIM-174B Gunslinger is an air-launched derivative of the RIM-174 Standard Missile-6. Its development fills a critical capability gap left by the 2004 retirement of the AIM-54 Phoenix. While the Navy officially confirms a range of 150 miles, experts speculate its true reach is significantly higher, potentially extending hundreds of miles through high-altitude lofting techniques. By launching from speed and altitude, the missile exploits thinner air to minimize drag, allowing it to threaten targets far behind enemy frontlines, such as tankers or early warning aircraft.
The Gunslinger is a versatile, multi-role asset. Beyond its primary air-to-air function, it is engineered to intercept ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons, and potentially engage ground or maritime targets. Its 140-pound blast-fragmentation warhead is substantially heavier than those found on standard tactical missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM or AIM-9X Sidewinder. This sheer scale reflects its specialized purpose: neutralizing large, high-value airborne platforms that threaten naval fleets, such as the Chinese Xi'an H-6 bomber.
Currently, the missile is exclusively integrated with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, though speculation persists regarding its future deployment on platforms like the F-15EX or the B-21 Raider. As of October 2026, the weapon has been operationally deployed across four Nimitz-class supercarriers. Its emergence as a special access program mirrors the development of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, signaling a broader strategic shift toward countering the extreme-range capabilities of foreign systems like the Russian R-37M and the Chinese PL-21.
The system exists in several configurations, including the operational AIM-174B, the data-gathering NAIM-174, and inert training variants like the CATM-174B and DATM-174B. By leveraging the existing SM-6 architecture while stripping away the heavy surface-launch booster, the Navy has created a weapon that provides a roughly 30% range increase over the retired AIM-54C and a 50% increase over the in-service AIM-120D, ensuring the United States maintains a decisive edge in contested airspace.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: AIM-174B Gunslinger
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-aim-174b-gunslinger.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Traditions & customs · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
