Lockheed Martin AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM)

Scott Kenny said:
There haven't been enough orders to support multiple companies making energetics.
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That's a very good point however allowing such a concentration of critical and important technical expertise in just one or two companies is not a good idea.
 
NMaude said:
That's a very good point however allowing such a concentration of critical and important technical expertise in just one or two companies is not a good idea.
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Absolutely. Consolidation means that the entities left after are essentially "too big to die". Plus oligarchs who know the gov will kiss their cheeks for the longest time to sustain the industry because Airbus is over there.
 
Do we know anything about AIM-260 or AIM-120D datalink?. Can the missile transmit back data collected by its radar seeker? Or will it be purely internal data like speed/velocity?
 
Ronny said:
I don't think you can out climb or out accelerate a missile. But assuming you pre flares to make a flare screen then go behind that, a transport aircraft or a helicopter can do pretty much the same thing. If anything, a transport aircraft can pump out a massive amount of flares that can actually act as a screen

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LAIRCM helps a bunch as well, since Barney has both...
 
CDR Christopher Putre, Commanding Officer of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE ONE (VX-31) presents LCDR Orion Flurett with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal on December 19, 2024, in China Lake, CA. LCDR Flurett, recognized for his meritorious service while serving as Developmental Test-9 Detachment Officer In Charge, vx-31, FROMN July to August 2024. LCDR Flurett demonstrated extraordinary leadership and foresight, he planned, managed, and coordinated 78 personnel and two aircraft supporting the live-fire testing of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. In particular, his keen oversight and initiative were critical to receiving approval from NAVAIR, VX-31, CTWP, and Eglin AFM leadership for the last-minute increase to category C testing, resulting in the successful completion of 8 sorties encompassing 26.3 mishap-free flight hours, directly contributing to future air wing capabilities.
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Interesting catch by marauder2048
Category C represents munitions with smaller NEW (0.1 to 13 pounds) and includes surface detonations only
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So going by where we are in terms of comparisons, AIM-260A Wh is going to be closer to AIM-9X or about 1/2 the net explosive weight of the AIM-120 warhead.
 

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bring_it_on said:
Interesting catch by marauder2048
"Category C represents munitions with smaller NEW (0.1 to 13 pounds) and includes surface detonations only"

So going by where we are in terms of comparisons, AIM-260A Wh is going to be closer to AIM-9X or about 1/2 the net explosive weight of the AIM-120 warhead.
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"Includes surface detonations only" so no proximity fuze at all?
 
bring_it_on said:
So going by where we are in terms of comparisons, AIM-260A Wh is going to be closer to AIM-9X or about 1/2 the net explosive weight of the AIM-120 warhead.
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Where have you read that the AIM-260A warhead falls under Category C?
 
bring_it_on said:
Interesting catch by marauder2048


So going by where we are in terms of comparisons, AIM-260A Wh is going to be closer to AIM-9X or about 1/2 the net explosive weight of the AIM-120 warhead.
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Could this be related to Category C of NAVAIR flight testing regimes? Defined in NAVAIRINST 3960.4C, 'Category C' is given to tests which pose a "a significant risk to personnel, equipment, or property even after all precautionary measures and corrective actions would be taken."
 
CJohnston said:
Could this be related to Category C of NAVAIR flight testing regimes? Defined in NAVAIRINST 3960.4C, 'Category C' is given to tests which pose a "a significant risk to personnel, equipment, or property even after all precautionary measures and corrective actions would be taken."
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Yes, I think that's much more likely to be accurate. Category C testing includes (among other things):

• Stores separation for envelope definition or expansion.
• Hazardous stores jettison tests.
• Missile gas ingestion engine tests.

All of these could be relevant to AIM-260 at this point in flight test and have nothing to do with the size of the missile warhead.

(Source)
 
The photo in the award also isn't the AIM-260A either (it's too good to be true). It's a November 2022 photo of AARGM-ER flight testing.

USN did confirm to me that AIM-260A is currently undergoing evaluation but did not name any more specifics.
 

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Since an accurate artist's rendering of the AIM-260A has been released I suppose this means that actual photographs of it will be released this year?
 
NMaude said:
Since an accurate artist's rendering of the AIM-260A has been released I suppose this means that actual photographs of it will be released this year?
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If you are referring to the Navy rendering recently included in a presentation, then a version of the same was even shown on approved Navy slides back in 2023. For all we know, photographs or additional renderings of the AIM-260 may already be out there in the public domain. Folks on this forum seem to have surfaced more information on JATM then the entire defense media and bloggers combined :)
 
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bring_it_on said:
If you are referring to the Navy rendering recently included in a presentation, then a version of the same was even shown on approved Navy slides back in 2023. For all we know, photographs or additional renderings of the AIM-260 may already be out there in the public domain. Folks on this forum seem to have surfaced more information on JATM then the entire defense media and bloggers combined :)
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Yes, well done, people :)
 
bring_it_on said:
If you are referring to the Navy rendering recently included in a presentation, then a version of the same was even shown on approved Navy slides back in 2023. For all we know, photographs or additional renderings of the AIM-260 may already be out there in the public domain. Folks on this forum seem to have surfaced more information on JATM then the entire defense media and bloggers combined :)
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As a point on this, NAVAIR and CHINFO both have declined any public releases of JATM 'in the real world', so any published photographs would have to be unintentional. I did a cursory search through VX-31's Facebook (where there's smoke, there's fire!) but nothing turned up. Same on DVIDS and Instagram from plane spotters.

A NAVAIR PAO is supposed to give me a call in the next few hours about releasing preliminary photos with the missile itself blurred, but I doubt they will call considering they adhere to schedules as much as my grandmother does

But you guys have done amazing work. It's really impressive seeing the all hands on deck approach everyone takes here as a team. Coming from someone who is in defense media and a newcomer to the forum... I can't hope to match the man hours of research you guys do! Best I can do is two sticks of gum and some pocket lint :p (and occasionally some good info from the Navy!)
 
CJohnston said:
As a point on this, NAVAIR and CHINFO both have declined any public releases of JATM 'in the real world', so any published photographs would have to be unintentional.
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They did confirm testing was ongoing right now:

www.navalnews.com

U.S. Navy Confirms AIM-260A JATM Testing is Ongoing - Naval News

The AIM-260A is a highly secretive joint service program that began official development in 2017. After nearly eight years, it has started creeping into the public eye
www.navalnews.com www.navalnews.com
 
So what about this F/A-18. I haven't heard any reaction.
(compare with image below)

images
 

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