When we talk about the future of competition for air-superiority, often we focus on the most high-profile platform - the current and future generation fighter aircraft. With cutting edge sensors and systems, new generation fighters are likely to give their pilots access to a level of information and performance beyond what even current fifth generation platforms can offer. But situational awareness doesn't have the same value if it can't be connected to a weapon system capable enough to leverage it - which the air-to-air missile comes in. In the past decade, multiple nations have fielded new missiles that challenge or eclipse existing US missiles like the AIM-120. In this episode we're going to look at some of those systems, ask how the US fell behind in the range game, and ask what the plan might be to equip the USAF with tools to reclaim its previous advantage in the air. Note, this video is a continuation of the series on next-generation air combat, including: The Race for 6th Generation Fighters: https://youtu.be/RPrWm6fWuaM The Race for Air Combat Drones: https://youtu.be/1-0L5Wv86fQ AMRAAM D https://www.twz.com/43483/latest-amraam-air-to-air-missile-aims-to-keep-pace-with-china AIM-260 Reporting https://www.iiss.org/en/online-analysis/military-balance/2019/10/aim-260-missile-us-air-force/ https://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2019/10/will-americas-next-long-range-air-air-missile-match-chinas/160771/ Cancellation of past potential AMRAAM replacement https://www.flightglobal.com/usaf-cancels-amraam-replacement/104054.article Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/PerunAU Relevant Notes or Reading (more to be added: US Senate armed services committee transcript - Tuesday, May 2, 2023 https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/23-41_05-02-2023.pdf Professor Justin Bronk - Russian and Chinese Combat Air Trends: Current Capabilities and Future Threat Outlook https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/whitehall-reports/russian-and-chinese-combat-air-trends-current-capabilities-and-future-threat-outlook Professor Justin Bronk, Nick Reynolds and Dr Jack Watling - The Russian Air War and Ukrainian Requirements for Air Defence https://static.rusi.org/SR-Russian-Air-War-Ukraine-web-final.pdf RTX featuring the Peregrine on their web page https://www.rtx.com/raytheon/what-we-do/air/air-to-air-missiles/air-to-air-missiles Reporting on 2020 AFRL solicitation in relation to long range AAM technologies https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-seeking-faster-longer-range-air-to-air-missiles/ Reporting on next generation missile systems: https://www.twz.com/45057/the-air-force-plans-to-test-launch-a-mystery-new-air-to-air-missile https://www.twz.com/classified-aim-260-air-to-air-missiles-to-arm-future-air-force-drones https://www.airandspaceforces.com/jatm-start-production-collaborative-combat-aircraft/ https://breakingdefense.com/2019/09/raytheons-new-peregrine-missile-smaller-faster-more-maneuverable/ https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/fifth-generation-weapons/ Caveats & Comments: All normal caveats and comments apply. In particular – I would like to note as always that this material has been created for entertainment purposes and is not intended to be a complete or comprehensive examination of the topic in question and should not be relied upon to inform financial or other similar decisions. https://www.twz.com/15692/the-pentagon-is-quietly-developing-an-next-generation-long-range-air-to-air-missile Timestamps: 00:00:00 — Opening Words 00:01:14 — What Am I Talking About? 00:01:56 — History & The Missile Evolution 00:06:38 — The Future Air War Concept 00:17:41 — What Makes A Good Missile? 00:26:42 — The US Inventory 00:30:10 — Russia 00:36:03 — PRC 00:44:58 — European Competitors 00:51:05 — And Before We Get To The USA 00:52:28 — The New Programs 01:00:59 — Bringing This Together 01:04:21 — Channel Update