An American general told Steve Trimble that a new long-range air-to-air missile is being develop to counter the Chinese PL-15.
F-35A Lightning II test aircraft assigned to the 31st Test Evaluation Squadron from Edwards Air Force Base, California, released AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X missiles at QF-16 targets during a live-fire test over an Air Force range in the Gulf of Mexico on June 12, 2018. The Joint Operational Test Team conducted the missions as part of Block 3F Initial Operational Test and Evaluation.
Lockheed Martin is the developer and the missile is designated AIM-260.
It is scheduled to begin flight testing in 2021 and achieve initial operational capability in 2022, said Brig. Gen. Anthony Genatempo.
It will first arm the F-22 and Super Hornet with the F-35 at a later stage.