The AIM-174B, revealed in July, has an extreme range of 400 km, outranging China’s PL-15 missile.
This allows U.S. jets to strike key targets from a safer distance, protecting aircraft carriers and high-value assets.
Experts say this deployment could alter China’s strategy in the region.
The missile, based on the Raytheon SM-6, doesn’t need new production lines and is compatible with U.S. and Australian aircraft.
The U.S. Navy is already operationally deploying it on Super Hornets.
This development could make a South China Sea conflict easier for the U.S. by pushing Chinese aircraft farther back. Analysts say this will likely force a change in Chinese tactics as tensions rise. #trending
