US Navy Live-Fire Tests Drone Sailboat With Missile Launcher
The live-fire test showed a commercial autonomous vessel can launch missiles and track targets, with the system fielded in six months, companies said.
- During the RIMPAC 2026 exercise off Hawaii, a Surveyor-class Saildrone unmanned surface vessel launched two Joint Air-to-Ground Missiles, engaging a surrogate high-speed surface craft while operating alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.
- Lockheed Martin and Saildrone completed the system's transition from concept to live demonstration in six months, accelerated by a $50 million investment in October 2025 to adapt commercial platforms for military use.
- The Surveyor-class vessel integrated the JAGM Dual Launcher and Adjunct Remote Engagement System fire-control system, while performing passive electronic-warfare detection in coordination with an MH-60S helicopter.
- Saildrone CEO Richard Jenkins noted the demonstration paired "tried and trusted munitions" with an established USV platform, reducing integration risk while leveraging the company's autonomous operations experience since 2013.
- Partners plan to test additional capabilities on the larger Spectre-class vessel, designed to carry containerized systems including the Mk 70 launcher and SURTASS towed-array technology.
22 Articles
22 Articles
With the AIM-424 "Malice", the US Navy presents an air-air missile of superlatives. It is directed against a concrete opponent.
The US Navy unveiled a new long-range air-to-air missile called the AIM-424 Malice. It fits in the F-35C's internal weapon bay, maintains a stealth profile, and offers a range of over 463 kilometers.
The US Navy has detected a test of a new Jo-Jo rocket that can hit targets more than 290 miles (465 km), far beyond the range of any other known weapon of this kind. According to the US Navy, the AIM-424 Males, developed by RTX's Raytheon, has nearly similar dimensions to the current generation of the AIM-120 mm rocket currently in use, according to the Sunday news agency Bloomberg.
US Navy Unveils Advanced Air-to-Air Missile With 300-Mile Range
The US Navy's Naval Aviation Branch has unveiled a new ultra-long-range air-to-air missile, the AIM-424 Malice, with a claimed range of more than 463 km. The photos were published by DVIDS, the official media platform of the US Department of Defense, reports Telegrafi. The missile appeared on two types of carrier-based fighter aircraft: the F-35C Lightning II and the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The missile was developed and manufactured by the America…
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaUS Navy unveils AIM-424 Malice air-to-air missile with 465-km range
In a significant leap for military technology, the US Navy is evaluating a powerful long-range air-to-air missile that can effectively engage targets beyond 465 kilometers. Its design allows it to seamlessly integrate into the stealth capabilities of fighter jets like the F-35 and F-22. This missile aims to bolster naval defenses against remote aerial attacks, aligning with the Pentagon's commitment to developing advanced long-range weaponry.
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