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U.S. Navy reveals 287-mile AIM-424 Malice as B-2 anti-ship strike and autonomous-boat trials expand maritime weapons focus

The Navy unveiled RTX’s AIM-424 Malice, a long-range air-to-air missile reported to exceed 250 nautical miles, while a B-2 demonstrated a precision-guided air-launched anti-ship weapon and unmanned boats surveyed and engaged targets. The service is also seeking a new air-launched torpedo for submarine warfare.

Discovered 2026-08-24T15:05:05.660599-07:00 | 2026-08-24T15:05:05.660599-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The AIM-424’s reported range exceeds the onboard radar reach of its launch aircraft, making offboard sensing and targeting central to its operational use.
The B-2 anti-ship demonstration and unmanned-boat exercises show the Navy and broader U.S. military testing distributed maritime strike capabilities across crewed aircraft, autonomous vessels and long-range weapons.
The Navy’s search for a new air-launched torpedo signals parallel investment in airborne anti-submarine warfare alongside surface-targeting systems.

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Breaking Defense Aviation Week c4defence.com 19fortyfive.com insidedefense.com Air Data News