Lockheed Martin · Air-to-Air Missile · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)
Open in interactive gallery →The AIM-260 JATM (Joint Air-to-air Missile, programme designation JATM) is an American air-to-air missile — Lockheed Martin's direct AIM-120 AMRAAM successor + the principal US response to the Chinese PL-15 + Russian R-37M long-range AAMs. Lockheed Martin developed the JATM in 2017-2022 under a joint US Air Force + US Navy programme; service entry 2022 (declared). Total programme cost + production rate are classified. The missile is intended for the F-22 Raptor + F-35 Lightning II + F/A-18E/F Super Hornet + F-15EX Eagle II — the principal current US fighter fleet.
The AIM-260 specifications are largely classified. Open-source estimates: length ~3.7 m (same form-factor as AIM-120 to fit existing internal weapons bays), weight ~165 kg, range >190 km (well beyond AIM-120D's ~160 km), maximum speed Mach 4+. Guidance: active radar terminal homing + (likely) two-way datalink. The JATM is reportedly designed to be carried by F-22 + F-35 internal weapons bays — 6 × AIM-260 in F-22, 4 × AIM-260 in F-35 (vs the AIM-120's 6 / 4 same loadout). The form-factor parity is a deliberate design constraint to avoid weapons-bay modifications.
JATM development was driven by Chinese PL-15 deployment (entered PLAAF service 2018, estimated range 200-300 km) which exceeded AIM-120D performance + threatened US fighter air-superiority margins. The JATM is the most-classified US air-to-air missile programme since the AIM-7 Sparrow + reportedly entered limited service in 2022 with F-22 + F-15EX integration completing by 2024. Initial total inventory is estimated at ~500 rounds; full-rate production is expected by 2027. The PL-17 (Chinese, estimated 400 km range) + R-37M (Russian, 300 km range, MiG-31BM-launched) drove parallel JATM-Plus + AIM-260B follow-on developments.
The AIM-260 JATM (Joint Air-to-Air Tactical Missile) is the newest American air-to-air missile. Lockheed Martin developed it from 2017 to 2022. Many details are secret. The missile is in service since 2022 but is rare and is not sold to many countries yet.
The AIM-260 is about 12 feet long and 363 pounds, smaller than a school bus. Top speed is Mach 4, faster than a rifle bullet. Range is estimated at more than 190 miles. The missile uses active radar to find and hit targets without help from the firing plane.
The AIM-260 was built to replace the older AIM-120 AMRAAM. China's PL-15 missile and Russia's R-37M have ranges of 190 miles or more, longer than the older AIM-120. The American military needed a missile that could match these. The AIM-260 was built to fit in the same internal weapons bays as the AIM-120, so F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II fighters can carry the same number of new missiles.
The AIM-260 first entered service in 2022 with the F-22 Raptor. The F-35, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and F-15EX Eagle II will all carry the AIM-260. Most details about the missile remain secret. The AIM-260 is one of the most-secret American air-to-air missiles since the AIM-7 Sparrow of the 1950s.
China's PL-15 air-to-air missile (in service since 2018) has a range of 190 miles or more, longer than the older AIM-120 AMRAAM. American fighters were losing their long-range advantage. The AIM-260 was built to match or beat the PL-15. The Russian R-37M missile is also a threat, with similar range. The AIM-260 keeps American fighters competitive.
The F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II carry missiles inside internal weapons bays for stealth. These bays are sized for the AIM-120 AMRAAM. Building the AIM-260 to the same size means F-22s and F-35s can carry the new missile without bay modifications. An F-22 carries 6 AIM-260s and an F-35 carries 4 AIM-260s.
If China and Russia knew exactly how the AIM-260 works, they could build defenses to confuse it. By keeping details secret, America keeps its long-range air-to-air advantage. The AIM-260 is one of the most-secret American weapons since the AIM-7 Sparrow of the 1950s. Even basic facts like the missile's true range and weight are not officially confirmed.
The US Air Force has aggressively classified the JATM programme since 2017 — restricting specifications, range, guidance details, + even production numbers. Three reasons. (1) Counter-PL-15 + R-37M — revealing JATM range or kinematics would give China + Russia time to design counter-electronic-warfare or counter-kinematic responses before JATM full deployment. (2) F-22 + F-35 air-superiority — the AIM-260 is the principal weapon for restoring US fighter dominance against fielded Chinese fighters, + its performance envelope is treated as a critical wartime secret. (3) Allied access control — the US has not yet decided which NATO + Indo-Pacific allies will receive JATM exports, + early specifications disclosure would force premature decisions. The AIM-260 is the first major US air-to-air missile to be developed entirely under Special Access Program restrictions.