19 Aug, 2024

Defense News Aerospace 2024

2024年8月19日

国防新闻 航空2024

 

The AIM-174B missile, recently operationally deployed by the U.S. Navy, is now the longest-range air-to-air missile ever carried on an American warplane. Designed to strengthen the United States' military power in the Indo-Pacific region, this missile represents a significant technological advancement in the American arsenal. The missile was seen in public for the first time during the RIMPAC 2024 exercises, mounted on F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, marking a turning point in American military strategy.

AIM-174B导弹最近由美国海军实际部署，现在是美国战机上有史以来射程最远的空对空导弹。这种导弹旨在加强美国在印太地区的军事力量，代表着美国武器库的重大技术进步。该导弹在2024年环太平洋军演期间首次公开亮相，安装在F/A-18 E/F超级大黄蜂上，标志着美国军事战略的转折点。

 

Spotted AIM-175B mounted on F/A-18 dunring suspension test in June 2024   (Picture source: Spotters)

2024年6月，在F/A-18悬架测试中发现了AIM-175B（图片来源：Spotters）

 

Design and Development

设计与开发

 

The AIM-174B is a modification of the SM-6, a surface-to-air missile developed by Raytheon for the Aegis Combat System of the U.S. Navy. Initially designed to be launched from ships, the SM-6 was modified for aerial use, becoming the "air-launched configuration" that now equips Navy fighters. The SM-6, the direct predecessor of the AIM-174B, was approved for full production in 2013 after eight years of development. Designed for long-range anti-air warfare, the SM-6 can eliminate fighter jets, drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. The AIM-174B version inherits this versatility while being optimized for aerial operations.

AIM-174B是SM-6的改进型，SM-6是雷神公司为美国海军宙斯盾作战系统开发的地对空导弹。SM-6最初设计为从舰艇上发射，经过改装后用于空中使用，成为现在装备海军战斗机的“空中发射配置”。SM-6是AIM-174B的直接前身，经过八年的开发，于2013年获准全面生产。SM-6专为远程防空作战而设计，可以在消灭战斗机、无人机、巡航导弹和末端弹道导弹。AIM-174B版本继承了这种多功能性，同时针对空中作战进行了优化。

 

Technical Characteristics

技术特点

 

The AIM-174B missile stands out with an impressive range of 250 miles (about 400 kilometers), more than double the range of the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the standard air-to-air missile for American F-22 and F-35 fighters. This extended range puts the AIM-174B well ahead of its competitors, particularly the Chinese PL-15, whose range is shorter than that of the AIM-174B, although the Chinese PL-17 missile can reach targets at a similar distance.

AIM-174B导弹以令人印象深刻的250英里（约400公里）的射程脱颖而出，是美国F-22和F-35战斗机的标准空对空导弹AIM-120 AMRAAM射程的两倍多。这种扩展的射程使AIM-174B远远领先于其竞争对手，特别是中国的PL-15，其射程比AIM-174B短，尽管中国的PL-17导弹可以到达类似距离的目标。

 

The AIM-174B also offers multi-role capability, being able to engage not only aerial targets but also surface targets, a feature inherited from its predecessor, the SM-6. This versatility makes it a formidable weapon for the U.S. Navy, especially in combat scenarios where air superiority and the neutralization of key targets are essential.

AIM-174B还具有多用途能力，不仅能够打击空中目标，还能够打击水面目标，这是其前身SM-6的一个继承特征。这种多功能性使其成为美国海军的强大武器，特别是在空中优势和使关键目标失效至关重要的战斗场景中。

 

Spotted AIM-175B mounted on F/A-18 during RIMPAC 2024 in July (Picture source: US DoD)

7月2024年度环太平洋军事演习（RIMPAC）期间，F/A-18上安装了AIM-175B（图片来源：美国国防部）

 

Strategic Use

战略使用

 

Despite its impressive capabilities, some experts believe that the AIM-174B would not be used against enemy fighter jets, which could evade long-range missiles with their speed and agility. Instead, the AIM-174B would be more effective against so-called "enabler" aircraft, such as early warning and surveillance planes, which play a crucial role in providing data to enemy attack formations. By destroying these aircraft, the United States could deprive the enemy of its tactical advantage, making their forces more vulnerable to American attacks.

尽管其能力令人印象深刻，但一些专家认为，AIM-174B不会用于对抗敌方战斗机，因为敌方战斗机可以以其速度和敏捷性躲避远程导弹。相反，AIM-174B将更有效地对抗所谓的“赋能器”飞机，如预警机和侦察机，这些飞机在向敌方攻击编队提供数据方面发挥着至关重要的作用。通过摧毁这些飞机，美国可以剥夺敌人的战术优势，使他们的部队更容易受到美国的攻击。

 

A Strategic Deployment in the Indo-Pacific Region

印度太平洋地区的战略部署

 

The deployment of the AIM-174B is part of a broader U.S. strategy to strengthen its presence in the Indo-Pacific region. This missile could play a key role in protecting critical U.S. assets, such as aircraft carrier groups, while enabling long-range strikes on targets of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. The recent activation of the Typhon battery, using both the SM-6 and Tomahawk missiles, in northern Philippines, is a concrete example of this strategy. This battery is positioned to reach targets on the Chinese coast and in the South China Sea, a maneuver that has not been well received by Beijing.

AIM-174B的部署是美国加强其在印太地区存在的更广泛战略的一部分。这种导弹可以在保护航母编队等美国关键资产方面发挥关键作用，同时能够对中国人民解放军的目标进行远程打击。最近在菲律宾北部使用SM-6和战斧导弹激活“堤丰”（Typhon）导弹连就是这一战略的一个具体例子。该导弹连的定位是为了打击中国海岸和南中国海的目标，但北京方面对此并不买账。

 

Conclusion

结论

 

The AIM-174B missile represents a major advancement in the U.S.'s ability to project long-range air power. With its impressive technical characteristics and strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region, this missile and its unprecedented range make first strikes on secondary targets a significant opportunity in the context of a conflict. Developed for direct engagement rather than mere deterrence, this missile represents a shift in the balance of power between forces in the region.

AIM-174B导弹代表了美国远程空中力量投射能力的重大进步。凭借其令人印象深刻的技术特征和在印度洋-太平洋地区的战略作用，这种导弹及其前所未有的射程使对次要目标的首次打击成为冲突背景下的一个重要机会。这种导弹是为直接接触而非仅仅威慑而开发的，代表了该地区力量平衡的转变。

 

Final step of AIM-174B assembly in Raytheon plant (Picture source: Raytheon)

雷神公司工厂AIM-174B组装的最后一步（图片来源：雷神公司）