An F-22A Raptor has reportedly broken a record by firing an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile at very long range. Analysis of capabilities and strategic implications.
Summary
According to information reported by several specialized sources, an F-22A Raptor has set a new long-range firing record with an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. The test, carried out as part of an assessment of US capabilities, demonstrates both the technological power of the stealth fighter and the ongoing developments of the AMRAAM. The Raptor, designed for air superiority, thus confirms its role as the benchmark platform for BVR (Beyond Visual Range) combat. While the exact distance achieved has not been officially published, analysts suggest a range significantly greater than previous standards, already estimated at between 160 and 180 km depending on the missile version. This performance has reignited the debate on the Raptor’s competitiveness against new fifth-generation fighters and highlights the importance of the aircraft-missile combination in US air strategy.
The context of an exceptional shot
The F-22A Raptor, developed by Lockheed Martin and entered service in 2005, is one of the symbols of American air power. Designed to dominate the skies thanks to its stealth, maneuverability, and advanced avionics, it is one of the few aircraft capable of conducting air combat beyond visual range with a decisive advantage. The reported test involved engaging a simulated air target at a distance considered unprecedented for an AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. This performance illustrates the US Air Force’s desire to demonstrate the operational relevance of its fighter despite its age, at a time when new programs such as NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) are emerging.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM missile and its developments
The AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) has been in service since 1991. Its various versions – C-5, C-7, and D – have gradually increased its range, improved its resistance to jamming, and perfected its accuracy. The AIM-120D model, which entered production in the early 2010s, is credited with a range exceeding 160 km (100 nautical miles), with some analysts even suggesting 180 km depending on the firing profile. In the case of the reported firing, it was probably an improved version, benefiting from high-precision inertial guidance coupled with an in-flight data link. These enhancements allow the missile to correct its trajectory and adapt to maneuvering targets, even in an environment saturated with electronic jamming.
The specific contribution of the F-22A Raptor
The Raptor is the ideal platform for maximizing the performance of the AMRAAM. Its AN/APG-77 AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar has a range of over 200 km, with multiple detection and tracking capabilities. Combined with its radar stealth, this allows the F-22A to engage a target well before being detected. In addition, the supercruise capability—maintaining supersonic speed without afterburner—gives the missile additional kinetic energy when fired. This aircraft-missile combination extends the effective range beyond the theoretical data provided by the manufacturers. In the case of the record shot, this synergy seems to have been pushed to its maximum.
The operational implications of the record
A very long-range shot is not only of technical value, it also has strategic significance. For the US Air Force, demonstrating that its F-22A Raptor remains capable of unprecedented performance reinforces the credibility of its fleet in the face of threats posed by aircraft such as the Russian Su-57 or the Chinese J-20. A missile engaged at a range of more than 180 km can intercept an adversary before it even crosses a defensive bubble. In terms of advanced air defense, this type of performance ensures superiority in contested airspace. On a geopolitical scale, it also sends a message to allies and rivals alike: the combination of stealth technology and long-range munitions remains at the heart of US strategy.
Technical limitations and challenges to consider
Despite the reported performance, very long-range firing has its limitations. The probability of destroying a target decreases as the distance increases, because the target can maneuver or use electronic countermeasures. In addition, the theoretical range of a missile depends heavily on the firing profile: launch altitude, initial velocity, and optimized trajectory. The AMRAAM remains effective, but the arrival of very long-range missiles such as the European Meteor, credited with a range of over 200 km, or the Chinese PL-15, is changing the game. The US Air Force must therefore continue its efforts to modernize its arsenal, pending the arrival of the future AIM-260 JATM (Joint Advanced Tactical Missile), which is set to gradually replace the AMRAAM by the end of the decade.
The impact on US air superiority doctrine
Air superiority relies on a combination of factors: stealth, sensors, weaponry, and networking. With this record-breaking shot, the F-22A Raptor shows that it remains an essential link in this equation. In modern warfare, where battles are fought at long range and in highly contested environments, the ability to engage first and maintain range advantage is critical. Despite its age, the Raptor remains capable of fulfilling this role thanks to its intrinsic qualities and the evolution of its munitions. This justifies continued investment in its maintenance and modernization, even though production has been halted since 2012.
A comparison with other fifth-generation fighters
The F-22A’s record shot should also be compared with the capabilities of other contemporary aircraft. The Russian Su-57 claims to carry long-range K-77M missiles, while the Chinese J-20 relies on the PL-15, credited with a range of 200 km. The American F-35, which is newer but less effective in pure combat than the Raptor, relies on its network of sensors and coordination with other platforms. In this landscape, the Raptor retains one advantage: the combination of superior stealth and an engine that allows it to supercruise, a key factor in maximizing the performance of long-range missiles.
Outlook for the future
The reported test is part of a transition process. The F-22A Raptor remains the US Air Force’s most effective tool for air superiority, but its successor is already in the pipeline. The NGAD program is expected to enter service in the 2030s with new generations of sensors and missiles. Until then, the Raptor’s record-breaking tests aim to maintain the credibility of the fleet and test the limits of the AMRAAM, pending the arrival of the future AIM-260. The United States seeks to maintain its technological advantage and send a clear signal: its fighters can strike at very long range, beyond the current capabilities of most adversaries.
A strategic reflection
This record shot should not be seen solely as a technical feat, but as a step in demonstrating American air power. At a time when technological competition is accelerating and air defense is becoming denser, proving that the F-22A Raptor and the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile remain competitive sends a strong message. The real question is not just how far a missile can reach, but how this advantage fits into an overall doctrine of air superiority. The future of air combat will depend less on an isolated record than on the ability to combine stealth, range, and resilience in the face of increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.