The U.S. Navy’s AIM-174B Gunslinger missile revives American air dominance, outranging Chinese threats and shielding carriers in the Indo-Pacific under President Trump’s strong defense leadership.
Story Highlights
- AIM-174B, derived from SM-6, delivers over 300-mile range for F/A-18 Super Hornets, filling the gap left by the retired AIM-54 Phoenix.
- Enters service in 2024, spotted on aircraft in Japan by May 2025, countering China’s PL-15 and PL-17 missiles.
- Multi-role capabilities include air-to-air, anti-hypersonic, and anti-ship strikes at Mach 3.5 with a 140-pound warhead.
- Integrates with NIFC-CA network using E-2D, F-35, and Aegis for superior targeting and deterrence.
- MDA seeks warhead upgrades to intercept hypersonics, boosting carrier strike group protection.
AIM-174B Origins and Development
The AIM-174B originates from the RIM-156A SM-2ER Block IV airframe, evolving into the SM-6 Extended Range Active Missile for surface-to-air roles. Raytheon, now RTX, developed this air-launched variant for F/A-18E/F Super Hornets. Initial SM-6 service began around 2013, achieving multi-mission capabilities like ballistic missile defense. The Navy retired the AIM-54 Phoenix in 2004, creating a long-range air-to-air capability gap that the AIM-174B now addresses directly.
Deployment and Recent Sightings
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-9 tested loadouts with four AIM-174B missiles alongside AIM-120s and ASG-34A IRST in early 2025. Carrier Air Wing 5 deployed the missile on Super Hornets in Japan by May 2025, signaling forward presence in the Western Pacific. The Naval Aviation Playbook formalized the “Gunslinger” nickname that month. These deployments protect U.S. carriers from high-value Chinese assets like PLAAF and PLANAF forces.
Technical Superiority Over Rivals
Weighing 1,900 pounds, the AIM-174B achieves Mach 3.5 speeds with a 140-pound warhead, far exceeding the AIM-120 AMRAAM’s range. High-altitude launches extend its reach to 240-480+ kilometers, potentially three times the Phoenix’s. It integrates active radar seekers from the AIM-120 for beyond-visual-range engagements. This versatility counters China’s PL-15 (over 200 km) and PL-17 (over 400 km), restoring U.S. Navy air supremacy in contested regions.
Experts highlight its role in networked warfare via Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air, leveraging E-2D Hawkeyes, F-35s, and Aegis ships for targeting. While heavy weight adds drag, operational tests confirm effectiveness against hypersonic threats.
Phoenix Reborn: Why the AIM-174B Gunslinger Missile is the U.S. Navy’s New Long-Range Equalizerhttps://t.co/DWzPnLpPaw
— Harry J. Kazianis (@GrecianFormula) March 14, 2026
Strategic Impacts for National Security
Short-term, the Gunslinger expands F/A-18 combat radius for standoff strikes, shielding carrier strike groups from enemy missiles. Long-term, Missile Defense Agency solicitations for wide-area effect warheads enable hypersonic intercepts, reshaping Pacific air defenses. This leverages existing SM-6 inventory, accelerating production without new costs and signaling deterrence to adversaries. U.S. forces gain extended kill chains, deterring aggression amid Indo-Pacific tensions.
Sources:
Meet the AIM-174B Gunslinger: The Navy’s 300-Mile Range Air-to-Air Missile
U.S. Navy’s New AIM-174B Air-to-Air Missile Spotted in Japan
US Navy’s AIM-174B Missile: New Gunslinger Indo-Pacific
US-China Long-Range Air Supremacy: AIM-174B, PL15, PL17 Indo-Pacific
