Boeing has started developing future air-to-air missiles and has achieved certain results. Recently, the model, main states, and solutions of the LRAAM new missile were showcased. It is highly likely that this concept will receive strong support from the Air Force in the future and be officially deployed.

Last May, the US Air Force Research Laboratory launched the development of future long-range air-to-air missiles. The requirement information has been released with the aim of exploring technology and solutions for the subsequent missile design. Receive applications from potential contractors before mid June. Now it is learned that Boeing immediately responded at that time.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory believes that the current AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder will not be able to meet real-world needs in the future. Therefore, it is necessary to upgrade or develop new air-to-air missiles. In the future, this weapon can supplement the AIM-260 JATM missile under development, ensuring that fighter jets have strong combat capabilities.

The requirements list the "soft" requirements for future solutions and how to choose the best solution. There is only a hard limit on the size of the missile, which is used for advanced fighter jets. Therefore, the length of the missile should conform to the size of the embedded magazine, limited to 156 inches (about 4 meters).

There are no specific requirements for the engine, and the US Air Force Research Laboratory is prepared to study any system with a strong interest in throttling pulse solid fuel engines and improving fuel composition. Any type of guidance head can be used, but the guidance system should have excellent performance, advanced units, and reasonable cost. The flight data of the new missile should not be inferior to existing models, and the combat performance should be improved by manufacturing excellent compact combat stages, ensuring that one missile can ensure the destruction of targets.

On September 20th, the United States Air Force Association held its annual meeting on "Aviation, Aerospace, and Networks". Traditionally, this activity is a platform for showcasing various achievements of combat aviation. Boeing is one of the exhibitors.

The LRAAM (Long Range Air to Air Missile) model was exhibited for the first time at the Boeing booth - a new concept was proposed based on the needs of the US Air Force Research Laboratory last year, and some technical information was also provided. The plan is still in its early stages. For example, the developers have not even disclosed the basic performance.

The model shows that this is a two-stage layout air-to-air missile with dimensions that meet the customer's size limitations. The two levels have similar appearances and achieve maximum universality in structure and components. The missile adopts a cylindrical body, X-shaped small aspect ratio wing, and tail rudder. Part of the control surface is installed on the longitudinal fairing. The combat grade has an extended warhead with a transparent fairing. The second level has a shorter head length and adopts a vertebral body form, making it convenient to connect with the combat level.

Adopting a two-stage structure can simplify production and reduce the cost of mass-produced missiles in the future. Two levels were developed completely from scratch without borrowing components from other schemes.

LRAAM adopts a two-stage solid fuel engine system. After being launched from the fighter jet, the first stage should accelerate the missile to cruising speed and ensure that it is aimed at the target. After the fuel runs out, the empty shell is thrown away and the combat class begins to fly independently - initially relying on the engine, and then using the accumulated energy.

The head fairing indicates the use of radar guidance head, but the specific data is unknown. The method of destroying the target is also unknown. The combat level can use traditional explosive kill warheads, but this will squeeze the space of the engine. It is also possible to abandon the warhead and use efficient guidance heads to ensure direct collision with the target.

The selection of key solutions and technologies will determine the appearance and performance of missiles in the future. Now we can study this idea and determine its potential.

The most significant aspect of the LRAAM concept is the proposal of a two-stage layout, which is very rare in previous air-to-air missiles. The active flight of missiles is divided into two stages. By discarding the first stage that runs out of fuel, weight and energy performance can be optimized, and flight data and maneuverability can be improved.

Compared to existing missiles, it is possible to increase the range while maintaining an acceptable size. Therefore, it is speculated that the range of the final version of LRAAM will not be less than AIM-120 AMRAAM, which is above 150-170 kilometers.

The provided model shows high requirements for the main systems, including the seeker and combat level. The layout is quite complex. The combat level capacity is limited, and various components need to be installed without compromising performance. It is likely that the plan is to install the control system on the extended head of this level. There may not be a warhead, which can increase fuel capacity and increase range.

Missiles require efficient active radar guidance heads. It can lock and intercept targets from a long distance. At this point, it should be ensured that stealth aircraft are detected and have good anti-interference capabilities.

Future combat level may become an independent weapon. Due to the lack of initial acceleration, the range may decrease, but it will maintain other advantages and characteristics of the "extended" missile.

The LRAAM new missile concept adopts a unique solution, which should arouse strong interest from the US Air Force Research Laboratory and even the entire Air Force. However, it is currently unknown when the design work will be initiated, completed, and experiments will begin.

Obviously, Boeing has started developing this concept no later than the summer of 2020. More than a year has passed since then, and only the overall characteristics of future missiles have been determined and models have been made. This can be explained by the fact that the US Air Force Research Laboratory is not in a hurry to advance this work, does not require the rapid provision of models with combat readiness capabilities, and Boeing is not in a hurry either. However, it is also possible that the task assigned is quite complex and cannot be completed in a short period of time.

We will further improve the formulation of the concept, and in the medium term, there may be real plans in the future. The Air Force Laboratory will shift from research recommendations to actual bidding, and based on the results, realize future equipment changes. Obviously, Boeing will participate in the development plan of the new missile. No one knows which companies will participate in the competition.

The future of the US Air Force's air-to-air missiles is gradually becoming clearer, but there is still great uncertainty. The Air Force Research Laboratory, as a future client, is exploring necessary technologies, and one of the main contractors has already provided its own suggestions, even in the concept scheme stage. Other research findings may emerge in the near future. The Air Force will compare and make decisions - the true potential of the LRAAM concept will be fully revealed at that time.

Source: Frontiers of Maritime Defense