US Navy discloses details of new long-range AIM-424 Malice air-to-air missile

The US Navy on August 22, 2026, published specifications for a new air-to-air missile designated AIM-424 and named Malice. The fact sheet lists a range exceeding 250 nautical miles, a length of 13.5 feet, a diameter of 13.5 inches and a weight of about 1,500 pounds. It runs on a solid-propellant rocket motor and carries a blast fragmentation warhead.

According to the Navy, the missile is meant to reinforce fleet defense and preserve what it called air domain overmatch against advanced adversaries. Officials described it as compatible with fourth-, fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft, intended to extend the reach and survivability of naval aviators.

Two photographs came with the release. One shows four AIM-424 rounds loaded on an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to a Navy test squadron. The other shows a single missile fitted inside the internal weapons bay of an F-35C, next to an AIM-120 AMRAAM mounted on the bay door. Despite its larger size, the images indicate the missile can be carried internally by the carrier variant of the F-35, rather than needing external mounting.

The Navy has not said how the missile will be guided to its target. It has also given no timeline for when the weapon might enter operational service. Its stated compatibility across multiple aircraft generations suggests it may sit alongside other long-range air-to-air weapons already in development for US forces, though the service did not explain how the programs relate to one another.

Raytheon is credited with developing the missile. The Navy's release focused on specifications rather than program history or contract details.