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Hunt For New Lower-Cost Strike Missile With 1,000-Kilometer Range Underway By U.S. Army

The U.S. Army is on the hunt for a new lower-cost strike missile capable of hitting targets more than 621 miles (1,000 kilometers) away. The Affordable High Speed Strike (AHSS) missile could be more of a traditional ballistic missile-like weapon or feature an air-breathing propulsion system. AHSSs could be fired from new uncrewed launcher vehicles that the Army is pursuing separately, as well as certain existing crewed types like the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The service sees these future weapons as offering a particularly important new way to strike enemy air bases, air defense nodes, missile launchers, and other high-value targets within a particular theater of operations.

AHSS was among the many programs the Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) highlighted at its booth at the annual Space & Missile Defense (SMD) Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. TWZ was in attendance at this conference, which wrapped up yesterday. Aviation Week was first to report on AHSS from this event.

A US Army M142 HIMARS launcher vehicle fires a 227mm guided artillery rocket. The service says this is one launcher that could be used to fire AHSS missiles in the future. US Army

“AHSS is an entirely new missile,” a DEVCOM spokesperson said, according to Aviation Week. At the same time, the Army is also clearly in the very early stages of defining what it wants from this new weapon beyond general affordability and reach.

A graphic on display at DEVCOM’s booth at the SMD symposium showed renderings of two distinctly different notional missiles under the AHSS heading, as seen at the top of this story and below. One has a traditional ballistic missile-type design with a cruciform fin arrangement at the tail end. The other notional missile has a more novel design with an air-breathing propulsion system feeding from an intake in the nose. In broad terms, the intake has a style commonly associated with high-speed jet engines such as ramjets and scramjets. It also has a completely different tail configuration, as well as what appears to be a long, slender stabilizing strake visible along the right side of the body.

Jamie Hunter

Aviation Week‘s story also highlights the Army’s current separate development of an entire new family of Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) vehicles. However, the current AHSS concept also includes “an option to be launched from a crewed HIMARS,” the DEVCOM spokesperson said, according to that outlet.

The prototype uncrewed version of HIMARS seen here, called the Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (AML), was an important stepping stone to the CAML program. US Army The Autonomous Multi-domain Launcher (AML) prototype. US Army

HIMARS, which uses a 6×6 tactical truck as its base, fires munitions via standardized ammunition ‘pods.’ As such, it seems likely that any other launcher that makes use of these same pods, such as the tracked M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), would also be able to fire the future AHSS missile.

US Marines load an ammunition pod into an M142 HIMARS launcher during an exercise. USMC

“This project directly supports Precision Fires capabilities by developing, maturing, and demonstrating affordable high speed strike missile technologies for responsive, mobile, deployable, survivable, and sustainable Army conventional theater strike weapons,” the Army said about AHSS in its 2027 Fiscal year budget proposal, which was released earlier this year. The program will “provide hardware and software technologies demonstrated, including affordable advanced propulsion, complementary warhead, guidance, navigation and control technologies, and integration onto Army mobile launch platforms.”

“The Army needs affordable, responsive high speed strike capability to attack theater level targets, provide offensive counter-air capability, and be launched from Army mobile, deployable, and survivable platforms,” the Army budget documents add.

The specific mention of the offensive counter-air (OCA) mission set is interesting as it is far more commonly associated with air assets. However, it is simply defined as “offensive operations to destroy or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, and as close to their source as possible,” according to the January 2020 edition of the U.S. military’s official Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. Long-range surface-to-surface missiles are very applicable for pursuing these objectives, something we will come back to later on.

It is also worth noting that DEVCOM’s graphic at the SMD Symposium used the exact same air-breathing missile render to represent the planned Increment 4 version of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). The baseline version of PrSM, or Increment 1, is a traditional short-range ballistic missile with ability to hit targets at least around 310 miles (500 kilometers) away, if not further. The Army’s current stated plan for Increment 4 is to acquire a new variant or derivative of PrSM with a range of at least 621 miles/1,000 kilometers. For further context, the Increment 2 PrSM, which is in active development now, is an anti-ship-focused variant with a new seeker system, allowing it to engage moving targets. The Increment 3 plan is centered on new unspecified “enhanced” payloads, which could include swarms of loitering munitions.

A look at the full DEVCOM graphic on display at the annual SMD Symposium this week. Jamie Hunter
A Lockheed Martin rendering of an air-breathing missile design tied to its work on an Increment 4 PrSM concept. Lockheed Martin

The Army has also talked in the past about an Increment 5 variation of PrSM with even greater range. This would put it in the same general category, at least in terms of reach, as AHSS. As noted, DEVCOM has stressed that AHSS is distinct from other existing efforts.

Furthermore, AHSS and PrSM are just two parts of a larger array of new longer-range strike capabilities the Army is working to acquire. The service has already fielded a small number of Typhon systems, which are currently capable of firing Tomahawk land attack cruise missiles and Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) multi-purpose missiles. Tomahawks can hit targets roughly 1,000 miles away. The Army is now pushing to field the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), also known as Dark Eagle, as well. Last year, new details emerged that put the maximum range of this weapon at around 2,175 miles.

On top of this, defense startup Castelion is developing a ground-launched version of its Blackbeard missile for the Army. Blackbeard is a lower-cost design said to be capable of traveling at hypersonic speeds. The exact maximum range of this missile is unclear, but the Army has said in the past that it is targeting “80% of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4 capability.”

A key underlying factor in all of this was the collapse of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. Under the INF, the United States and Russia were both prohibited from developing and fielding nuclear or conventionally-armed ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with maximum ranges between 310 and 3,420 miles (500 and 5,500 kilometers). The AHSS section in the Army’s 2027 Fiscal Year budget request specifically mentions that such developments are now “unconstrained by previous treaties.”

Depending on what kind of capability is ultimately pursued under AHSS, as well as PrSM Increment 5, the Army could be on track to field its first new medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) since the INF went into force in 1988. MRBMs are categorized as ballistic missiles with maximum ranges between 620 and 1,860 miles (1,000 and 3,000 kilometers). Members of Congress have notably been openly supportive of the Army acquiring exactly this kind of long-range capability in the past.

Pairing this capability with new and improved crewed and uncrewed launchers could offer more flexibility for employing these weapons, while also helping to reduce vulnerability to enemy attacks. TWZ has highlighted now on several occasions how uncrewed mobile launch systems would offer even greater advantages for future expeditionary and distributed operations. Uncrewed platforms could be pushed further forward without necessarily exposing human operators to greater risks. This would also allow a smaller force of human personnel to operate a larger number of total launchers, in general.

The broader value of Army ground-based long-range strike capabilities has been demonstrated this year in the course of operations against Iran. PrSM, as well as older Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles, have been so heavily employed against Iranian targets that there are now serious concerns about the adequacy of the remaining stockpiles of those weapons. There are reports that stocks of PrSMs, which the Army only received in quantity in 2023 and that made their combat debut in strikes on Iran, have run especially low.

As such, AHSS also underscores the importance of acquiring new, lower-cost munitions that are also more readily procurable, something that has become a focal point for the entire U.S. military in recent years. As a point of comparison, the unit cost of an Increment 1 PrSM is around $1.5 million. It is also a long-lead item where the time between when orders are placed and deliveries occur is measured in years.

What the timeline might be for AHSS developments to evolve into an actual operational capability is unclear. The Army has asked for just over $94.2 million to support AHSS work in the 2027 Fiscal Year. In its report, Aviation Week also noted that the service has previously disclosed that Australia is an international partner in the AHSS effort. This is a capability that could be of interest to other branches of the U.S. military and other foreign allies and partners. The U.S. Marine Corps, in particular, has an interest in longer-range strike capabilities to support its new expeditionary and distributed concepts of operations, and axed its plans to field Tomahawks fired from uncrewed 4×4 launcher vehicles last year,

With the Army exploring initial concepts for AHSS now, more about its vision for these missiles may begin to emerge.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

Joseph is TWZ’s Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area.




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Curvy Kylie Jenner flaunts her famous curves in revealing pink activewear as she turns up heat plugging new range

CURVY Kylie Jenner is hip to it as she promotes her new activewear range.

The US beauty mogul, 29, showed off her toned physique in a pink sports bra and matching leggings.

Kylie Jenner showed off her toned physique in a pink sports bra and matching leggings Credit: Alo/Mert & Marcus
The outfits are part of the Kylier’s Alo Yoga Pink Marshmallow collection Credit: Alo/Mert & Marcus

They are part of her Alo Yoga Pink Marshmallow collection — one more to add to the billionaire businesswoman’s portfolio.

Yet the mother-of-two is increasingly seeking privacy with actor boyfriend Timothée Chalamet, 30.

Reality star Kylie said: “Some of the most meaningful parts of my life happen when no one’s watching.”

She said: “Some of the most meaningful parts of my life happen when no one’s watching.

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Curvy Kylie Jenner ditches her clothes in steamy nude ad for her new Khy heels


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Kylie Jenner goes braless under sheer white dress on the beach for fragrance ad

“Those moments of stillness are what help me feel grounded and present, and I’ve learned to protect them.

“That’s what I love about this campaign – it reminds us that taking care of yourself starts with making space for the things that are yours alone.”

Mother-of-two Kylie is dating Dune actor Timothee Chalamet Credit: Getty
The reality star says the most meaningful parts of her life happen when nobody is watching Credit: AFP

Well, we’re watching now.

Kylie recently ditched her clothes in steamy nude ad for her new Khy heels brand.

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Sugababes braced for pop WAR as ex-members Amelle Berrabah and Heidi Range plot comeback

DESTINY’S Child were famously mocked in the noughties and compared to the reality show Survivor, with the group’s line-up changes likened to being ‘voted off the island’. 

But Destiny’s Child’s shift from four to three members had nothing on the Sugababes, whose members at one point didn’t include a single one of the original three: Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy. 

Original Sugababes Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan have been enjoying a successful comeback Credit: Samir Hussein / WireImage
But now they’ll face competition from former members Amelle and Heidi Credit: Getty Images

Mutya and Keisha, both 41, and Siobhan, 42, successfully won back the rights to the group’s name in 2019 and seem to have found the winning formula for reunions, releasing a string of new music and even headlining shows at The O2 Arena last year

But now the girls are facing competition from their former bandmates, as The Sun can exclusively reveal Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah are plotting a comeback. 

Our source said: “Amelle and Heidi never fell out. The group just stopped and they were all ready for a break at the time. 

“But Amelle has been performing solo solidly since 2024 and has been suggesting for some time now that Heidi should join her. It’s taken some persuasion but Heidi finally feels ready to get back to doing what she loves.” 

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Sugababes’ Keisha looks incredible as she strips to bikini in Dubai

Heidi returned to the stage for the first time in 15 years when she performed at Mighty Hoopla Credit: YouTube
Amelle has been gigging solidly as a solo act since 2024 Credit: Instagram

It’s often suggested by die-hard Sugababes fans that the group didn’t achieve commercial success until Heidi, 43, replaced Siobhan in 2001. 

Following her arrival, Sugababes scored their first number one with Freak Like Me and enjoyed a string of hits in the years that followed. 

Amelle became part of the line-up in 2005 – replacing Mutya – and the group went on to release arguably their biggest hit so far, About You Now, which has sold more than a million units in the UK alone.

Final founding member Keisha was then replaced by Jade Ewen in 2009 and two years later they went on an indefinite hiatus. 

Sugababes featured no founding members when Jade replaced Keisha in 2009 Credit: WireImage
We’re told Keisha, Mutya and Siobhan aren’t threatened by Amelle and Heidi – but are bracing themselves for a potentially awkward run-in Credit: Getty Images

But in 2024, Amelle confirmed to The Sun she was ready for them to get back together, despite being unable to use the Sugababes name. She said at the time: “It could be something. I’d never say no to it.” 

For Jade, 38, the Sugababes is firmly in her past, but we understand Amelle and Heidi have been inspired by comments from fans urging them to make a comeback. 

In May, Heidi returned to the stage for the first time in 15 years at Mighty Hoopla, where she performed alongside her All Saints pals Nicole and Natalie Appleton. 

Our insider said: “Heidi didn’t realise how much she missed the feeling of being on stage until then. 

“She’s in no way bitter about not being included in Mutya and Keisha’s Sugababes return and respects that Siobhan walked so she could run. 

“But the demand from fans since Mighty Hoopla has been intense and now Heidi and Amelle are planning out performances of their own. Afterall, they co-wrote most of Sugababes hits so why shouldn’t they?

“Amelle and Heidi legally won’t be able to be billed as Sugababes for any live shows but nobody can stop them from using the music.”

As for Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan? The Sun understands they know they can’t stop Amelle and Heidi but are already anticipating some potentially awkward run-ins. 

“They’re not worried,” a source said. “Keisha and Mutya have said on record many times that they’ve got no bad feelings towards Heidi and Amelle. But the thought of being booked for the same festival is something they’re trying not to think about. 

“Who knows, though? Maybe they’ll give the fans what they want and come together as a five-piece for a one-off performance. Stranger things have happened.” 

The Sun has reached out to representatives for Sugababes, Heidi and Amelle for comment. 

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Sb financial projects 3.45% to 3.55% net interest margin range as it targets $50M to $70M loan growth in 2H 2026 (NASDAQ:SBFG)

Earnings Call Insights: SB Financial Group (SBFG) Q2 2026

Management View

  • “The second quarter of 2026 represented a period of strong execution across our franchise, reflecting the consistency and resilience of our diversified revenue operating model,” said Mark Klein (Chairman, President & CEO), highlighting “high-quality organic loan growth, stable

Seeking Alpha’s Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated by an AI tool based on content available on the Seeking Alpha website, and has not been curated or reviewed by humans. Due to inherent limitations in using AI-based tools, the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such articles cannot be guaranteed. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.

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Intuitive maintains 13.5%-15.5% 2026 da Vinci procedure growth outlook while outlining 68%-69% non-GAAP gross margin range (NASDAQ:ISRG)

Earnings Call Insights: Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Q2 2026

Management View

  • “Our performance in Q2 was solid,” said CEO David Rosa, reporting that “total procedures increased 16% driven by 15% growth in da Vinci procedures and 36% growth in Ion procedures,” and adding that the company “exited the quarter

Seeking Alpha’s Disclaimer: This article was automatically generated by an AI tool based on content available on the Seeking Alpha website, and has not been curated or reviewed by humans. Due to inherent limitations in using AI-based tools, the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of such articles cannot be guaranteed. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Seeking Alpha does not take account of your objectives or your financial situation and does not offer any personalized investment advice. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank.

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Kylie Jenner stuns in see-through slip dress as she promotes new ‘no sweat’ powder from her cosmetics range

LOOKING cool is no sweat for Kylie Jenner — thanks to her latest cosmetics creation.

The US beauty mogul posed in a see-through slip dress to help promote a powder which claims to be sweat and humidity-proof.

Kylie Jenner posed in a see-through slip dress to help promote a powder which claims to be sweat and humidity-proof Credit: Instagram Kylie Cosmetics
The model has provided the AI assistant’s voice for a pair of smart glasses Credit: Meta

It is the latest launch from her Kylie Cosmetics range, which has helped the 28-year-old rake in a £500million fortune.

Meanwhile Kylie, who is dating Oscar-nominated actor Timothée Chalamet, has provided the AI assistant’s voice for a pair of smart glasses.

She also helped design the £359 oval Starfire Kylie Edition shades for tech giant Meta.

Wearers can take photos and videos, make and answer phone calls, listen to music and ­interact with a virtual assistant voiced by Kylie.

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The star said: “I recorded all these little lines.

“You put them on in the morning and it says, ‘Rise and shine’.

“It just felt like something I’d actually reach for every single day.”

The new hi-tech specs come in 26 different styles and eight colour options.

Kylie also helped design the £359 oval Starfire Kylie Edition shades for tech giant Meta Credit: Meta
The new hi-tech specs come in 26 different styles and eight colour options

They include selections of Meta Adventurer (rectangular) and Meta Fury (squared) spectacles, as well as Meta Glasses by Kylie (with a slim oval shape).

They’re all “smart glasses”, which means they have built-in cameras, microphones, and an AI assistant – but not a display.

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USAF Wants Air-To-Air Missile With A Whopping 1,000-Mile Range

The U.S. Air Force is set to hold a classified meeting with defense contractors to share its requirements for a new air-to-air missile with a maximum range of at least 1,000 nautical miles. This is roughly 10 times the reach afforded today by the latest versions of the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). An anti-air missile with this kind of extreme range would be especially well-suited for attacks on critical airborne early warning and control planes, as well as tankers and other high-value aerial assets operating in rear areas. The Air Force is also already interested in an air-to-surface version of this new weapon, which it has dubbed the Air Force Long Range Weapon (AFLRW).

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s (AFLCMC) Armament Directorate (EB) issued a notice yesterday regarding the planned AFLRW industry day gathering. The two-day meeting is currently scheduled to take place at the Guided Weapons Evaluation Facility (GWEF) at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida on August 25 and 26. The Air Force says the event will be held at the Secret classification level and that all attendees have to have appropriate security clearances.

“The AFLRW is aimed at addressing the next generation of Air-Launched Standoff Weapon variants in line with Department of War priorities,” according to the industry day notice. “AFLRW may select multiple vendors for both the Air-to-Air (A/A) and Air-to-Surface (A/S) variants with a focus on A/A solutions for Initial Operational Capability.”

A stock picture of a US Air Force F-22 Raptor firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM. USAF

“Both [AFLRW] variants will have a threshold minimum range of 1,000 NM [nautical miles] and be capable of striking respective A/A and A/S targets in Defense Planning Scenario 2.1 and 7.1 environments in a responsive manner,” the notice adds. It does not elaborate on what those specific scenarios entail.

The notice also puts particular emphasis on modular components and open-architecture systems, and finding a “Master Integrator” to combine the various elements into a complete missile, or all-up-round.

“Industry should expect a quick-turn Whitepaper Request for Information following the event focused on the 2 solution types above for both variants,” per the notice. “AFLCMC is seeking the next generation of Air-Launched Long-Range Weapon variants that expand the United States’ ability to hit priority air, land, and sea targets far and fast!”

Beyond the range threshold, the notice does not include any other details about requirements the Air Force may have now for the AFLRW. That being said, a desire for an anti-air missile able to hit targets at least 1,000 nautical miles away is very notable by itself.

Though the exact figures are classified, the AIM-120D-3 version of the AMRAAM, the latest model in widespread U.S. service, is generally understood to have a maximum reach of around 100 miles (close to 87 nautical miles). There have been hints that it may be able to fly out further than that, at least against targets in certain envelopes. Longer-range versions of the AIM-120 may now be in development. A known key requirement for the new AIM-260A Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) has also been extended reach over the AMRAAM. Still, even the JATM, which the U.S. Navy and Air Force are developing together, is not expected to have anywhere near the range required for the AFLRW.

An annotated image showing a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet carrying an AIM-260. Jonathan Tweedy/ @flightline_visuals

It is worth noting here that the Air Force almost adopted a very long-range, high-speed missile designed to engage both air and surface targets during the Cold War. However, the maximum range of that Advanced Strategic Air-Launched Missile (ASALM) was still only expected to be 300 miles (260 nautical miles).

An artist’s depiction of an ASALM after launch from a B-52 bomber. McDonnell Douglas

Starting in the mid-2000s, the Air Force and the Navy also worked together on a Joint Dual-Role Air Dominance Missile (JDRADM), intended as a single weapon to supplant the AIM-120 and variants of the AGM-88 anti-radiation missile. This evolved into the Next Generation Missile (NGM), which came to a close, at least publicly, in 2013, ostensibly over rising costs. A more secretive Triple Target Terminator (T-3) program, which had initially been conducted in parallel with JDRADM/NGM, continued afterward for at least some period of time. In 2017, a possible successor to T-3, the Long Range Engagement Weapon (LREW), but the fate of that effort is unclear.

In February, the Navy put out its own new call for a long-range anti-radiation missile capable of engaging air and surface targets, dubbed the Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM). However, the service did not say what its desired range for this weapon might be at that time. The Navy has already started fielding an air-launched version of the multi-purpose Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), designated the AIM-174B. TWZ has previously assessed the AIM-174B to likely be in the same range category, broadly speaking, as the Cold War-era ASALM. We have previously explored in detail how the AIM-174B slots into the Navy’s long-range kill chains.

How The Navy's New Very Long-Range AIM-174 Will Pierce China’s Anti-Access Bubble thumbnail

How The Navy’s New Very Long-Range AIM-174 Will Pierce China’s Anti-Access Bubble




Nothing approaching a range of 1,000 nautical miles appears to have ever been discussed, at least openly, in relation to any of these programs. Interestingly, the Air Force did publicly talk about the prospect of anti-air missiles with ranges of up to 1,000 miles in a report to Congress in December 2024. However, the report mentioned them as part of a projected threat ecosystem the service envisions taking shape by 2050.

“Counterair weapons with ranges out to over 1,000 miles and supported by space-based sensors will place aircraft, such as tankers, that have traditionally operated with impunity, at risk,” the Air Force’s 2024 report said. This offers a hint at the kinds of capabilities it is looking to add to its own arsenal through the AFLRW effort.

After the Navy put out its AESM contracting notice, TWZ also highlighted the value of such a missile for targeting vital airborne early warning and control assets. This is often referred to as the ‘AWACS killer’ role, which references the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. As we previously wrote:

“All that being said, the value of an ‘AWACS killer’ missile is clear-cut. AEW&C are critical surveillance and battle management assets. Shooting them down deprives an opponent of those capabilities, inherently reducing their ability to effectively maneuver air assets and share important information, including with other nodes on the ground or at sea, as well as in the air. Knocking out these flying radar stations, which can be especially well-suited to spotting lower flying threats from their high perches, just hampers an enemy’s overall situational awareness.”

The issue, of course, is that AEW&C planes typically orbit well behind the front edges of a conflict, creating additional challenges for targeting them. This is where something like AESM could come into play. A weapon of this type could engage other aerial targets by zeroing in on the radiofrequency emissions they pump out. This could include electronic warfare aircraft, and potentially other aerial targets. AESM might be able to take on a more general anti-air role with the addition of an active radar and/or imaging infrared seeker, as well as datalinks allowing for the use of networked targeting data. [The AGM-88E] AARGM and [AGM-88G] AARGM-ER both feature an active millimeter-wave radar seeker to enable them to hit fleeing ground targets, but a similar concept could be adapted for air-to-air use.

AARGM F-18 thumbnail

AARGM F-18




“For the Navy, as well as other branches of the U.S. military, this is all particularly relevant in the context of a potential future high-end fight with China, which has made major investments in its fleets of AEW&C and electronic warfare planes. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has also been pursuing ever-longer-ranged anti-air missiles, including types that could be used to target American AEW&C platforms, as well as other key support aircraft.”

The KJ-500 seen here is just one example of the multitude of different airborne early warning and control aircraft currently in Chinese service. Taiwan Ministry of National Defense

In that piece, we also touched on the potential for the AIM-174B to help meet U.S. military needs for an ‘AWACS killer’ missile. With the ability to hit targets in the air, as well as down below, out to at least 1,000 nautical miles, AFRLW would be a dramatic step above even the AIM-174B in capability.

The Pacific region offers a host of practical examples to give a better sense of what this kind of reach means. The distance between U.S. bases on the Japanese island of Okinawa and Taiwan is roughly 390 nautical miles. The distance between Andersen Air Force Base on Guam and Taiwan is around 1,500 nautical miles. AFLRW-armed aircraft flying over the East China Sea or the northern end of the South China Sea would conceivably be able to engage targets with hundreds of missiles inside the Chinese mainland, as long as suitable targeting data was available. The AFLRW’s range would be relevant on other potential hotspots globally, as well.

AFLRW would give the Air Force a way to pick off airborne early warning and control aircraft, as well as tankers, bombers, other kinds of surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, and potentially even unsuspecting tactical jets. The missiles would be able to do so without necessarily alerting them to the fact that they are being targeted at all, at least till it’s too late to escape. Having air-to-air missiles that can go after targets at such great ranges means the need to project tactical airpower and support aircraft far forward and deep into harm’s way for the counter-air mission would be less critical, at least during the first opening stages of a conflict. By eliminating key force multiplying aircraft with long-range weaponry, conditions would be better for the survivability of traditional counter-air packages.

A US Air Force B-2 bomber flies over a part of the Pacific Ocean together with a quartet of Japanese F-35A Joint Strike Fighters. USAF

On top of offering a new way to hold higher-value targets in rear areas at risk, AFLRW would give Air Force aircraft added flexibility to engage targets closer to the tactical edge, but not necessarily near where they might be flying at any one time. In the aforementioned Pacific scenario, areas of active combat in the air and on the surface could easily be dotted across a broader zone spanning thousands of square miles.

As mentioned, the Air Force also sees anti-air threats being able to reach further and further out. This means stand-off munitions, in general, will need greater reach to help reduce the risk to launch platforms. The AFLRW’s range recommendation is a tacit admission that the U.S. military will face growing challenges piercing adversary anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) bubbles, especially the ones that China has established and is continuing to expand on. It also highlights the increasing risks to friendly airborne early warning and control aircraft, tankers, and other supporting aerial assets needed for sustained air combat operations. Chinese air-to-air missiles are already outreaching their American counterparts, and the U.S. is working to change that now with AIM-174, AIM-260 and other programs.

There are still questions about what it might take to develop a feasible AFLRW with at least a 1,000 nautical mile range, and what might be able to carry a missile with that kind of reach. It is worth remembering here that the Air Force has openly talked about the possibility of the B-21 Raider bomber taking on a greater role in air-to-air combat in the future, which might include acting as a ‘weapons truck’ loaded with anti-air missiles. The aforementioned ASALM was also intended primarily for employment from bombers. For bombers like the B-21, the AFLRW would also just offer a valuable organic way to address threats in the air and down below, potentially hours ahead of arriving over the target area.

A pre-production B-21 Raider bomber seen during aerial refueling testing. USAF

The AFLRW will also have to cover the very long distances it flies at least relatively quickly, especially to be relevant for attacking time-sensitive or otherwise fleeting targets. This might require a multi-stage or air-launched ballistic missile-like design or even something more exotic.

There is also the question of targeting at such extreme distances. These weapons will not rely on the sensors and targeting information generated by the platforms they are launched from. Above all else, the AFLRW will, by default, have to be tied into a deeply networked ‘kill web’ that brings together tertiary sensors and other supporting elements across vast networking layers. That ‘web’ would be spread across the air, land, sea, space, and even cyberspace domains, and incorporate assets from other branches of the U.S. military beyond the Air Force.

Above all else, the space-based aircraft tracking layer will be very important when it comes to enabling this weapon. The Air Force’s 2024 report on future threats confirmed this. The U.S. military itself is actively working to field new distributed satellite constellations to provide potentially game-changing persistent air and ground moving-target indicator (AMTI/GMTI) capability globally, with exactly these kinds of long-range kill chains in mind, as you can read more about here. Very stealthy aircraft working farther forward that are in line-of-sight of potential targets are another way these weapons can be employed. The USAF also has just such a platform.

Much remains to be learned about the Air Force’s plans for the air-to-air and air-to-surface versions of the AFRLW, and what other requirements the service has for those missiles. The industry day gathering scheduled for August will provide the service with additional information about what options might be available and on what timeframe.

Regardless, the Air Force has now made clear publicly that it wants a solution that can kill planes a thousand miles away from the launch aircraft. This matches all the signals that the Pentagon has been sending indicating it is very concerned about its ability to pierce an enemy’s protective bubble in the years ahead. Above all else, it points to a new era of net-centric warfare where the kill web is truly king.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com

Joseph is TWZ’s Deputy Editor, helping to oversee the site’s highly experienced and dedicated team, while also writing informative and impactful defense and national security content. He lives right in the thick of it in the Washington, D.C. area.


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Rosie Huntington-Whiteley dares to glare as she shows off ‘sensual’ new bikini range

MODEL Rosie Huntington-Whiteley looked incredible as she wore shades with a white cropped jacket and bikini.

The mum of two, 39, who is the long-term partner of movie action star Jason Statham, wore the outfit for Brazilian swimwear brand ViX Paula Hermanny.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wowed in a white bikini as part of a new campaign with ViX Paula Hermanny Credit: ViX Paula Hermanny/CMG
The model posed up a storm on a push bike in an oversized blue shirt Credit: ViX Paula Hermanny/CMG

She also got on her bike in a tied blue shirt for the photoshoot, as part of  her role as a co-designer and global ambassador.

For another look, she wowed in a strapless cut out red swimsuit as she posed for a snap in front of beach waves.

The model completed the look with the blue oversized shirt and pushed her hair out of her face with a wet look.

Rosie said: “I wanted to design a collection to reflect how women really live and travel — pieces that feel effortless, sensual, and timeless, wherever you are.”

GYM SHADY

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley shows off toned abs during workout in lycra two-piece


BEACH BUMS

Jason Statham & Rosie Huntington-Whitely build £25m home next to nudist beach

Model Rosie is the long-term partner of movie action star Jason Statham Credit: Getty
Rosie recently showed off her incredible body in a matching gym set Credit: rosiehw/Instagram

She added: “This collaboration feels incredibly personal as I’ve worn ViX for years.

“Paula and I share a love for beautiful fabrics, clean lines, and pieces that feel effortless yet considered.”

This is Rosie’s second official collection with the luxury brand.

Earlier this month Rosie wowed in a pink matching gym set as she worked up a sweat.

She also rocked a pair of weight-lifting gloves and some sunglasses for the mirror selfie.

The star scraped her hair back off her face and completed the look with some gold earrings.

Rosie started dating Jason, who has starred in the likes of Transporter, The Mechanic and Fast & Furious, started dating in 2009.

The pair met while at a party in London.

The two took their relationship to the next level and got engaged in 2016.

And they share two children Jack, eight, and Isabella, four.

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Designer Brands anticipates Q2 sales flat to slightly up as full-year EPS trends toward high end of range (NYSE:DBI)

Earnings Call Insights: Designer Brands Inc. (DBI) Q1 fiscal 2026

Management View

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