The killers of the Russian SU-35: The US Air Force purchases the latest AIM-260 Jatm missiles (photo)

To spread: The US Defense Budget Project for the 2026 Financial year for the first time is officially envisaged by the purchase of a new generation of AIM-260 Jatm (Joint Advanced Tactical Missile). This is the first completely new development of this type in recent decades, which is created specifically for gaining and maintaining the benefits of the US Air Force in the face of modern and future threats. About it reports Defense24.

The rocket is developed by the Lockheed Martin corporation and will be used in the US Air Force and the Navy and Marine Corps. According to open sources, AIM-260 is created in conditions of high secrecy, and it is about the initial stage of serial production. The US Air Force Ministry has planned to allocate $ 425 million for AIM-260, as well as $ 368 million.

The mention of these amounts in the procurement section confirms that the rocket is already supplied to the military, according to Polish reviewers. Regarding the characteristics of the weapon, the AIM-260 should exceed the range of AIM-120D used by AIM-120D version. Although the exact characteristics are not revealed, Jatm can reach 200 km or more, which will make it a direct response to Chinese PL-15 and Russian P-37M, which are armed with Russian Su-35 fighters and the latest Su-57.

In addition, the new rocket should eliminate a number of restrictions that AIM-120 Amraam faces: limited radius of action, vulnerability to the HRB and reducing the efficiency against maneuverable air purposes. AIM-260 offers solutions in several directions: Among the potential carriers AIM-260 are called F-22 Raptor, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, F-35 Lightning II and F-15Ex Eagle II.