Australia: Se ve a un Super Hornet portando a un AIM-260 JATM

Se ha visto un misil AIM-260 JATM en un avión Super Hornet australiano.

Un misil AIM-260 JATM en un F/A-18F Super Hornet de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana durante el ejercicio Gray Flag en California, EE. UU. (foto: Armada de los EE. UU.)

Un F/A-18F Super Hornet de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana (RAAF) fue fotografiado transportando un misil táctico avanzado conjunto (JATM) inerte AIM-260 durante una prueba a gran escala de la Armada de los Estados Unidos en California.

La fotografía, difundida por la Armada de los Estados Unidos, muestra un avión F/A-18F de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana (RAAF) del Escuadrón N.º 1 despegando de la Base Naval Point Mugu del Condado de Ventura el 11 de septiembre, durante el ejercicio Gray Flag 2026.

 Un misil AIM-260 en la misma estación de un avión Super Hornet de la Armada de los Estados Unidos (foto: Jonathan Tweedy).

Gray Flag es el evento insignia de pruebas a gran escala para la comunidad de pruebas de aviación naval, que brinda una oportunidad para la integración a gran escala de nuevas capacidades que involucran a múltiples servicios, plataformas, industrias y fuerzas aliadas.

Los ejercicios Gray Flag anteriores se han utilizado para probar armas nuevas y armas en desarrollo en escenarios cada vez más complejos que reflejan condiciones operativas reales, incluidos enfrentamientos reales con misiles contra objetivos realistas.

Los aviones F/A-18F de la Real Fuerza Aérea Australiana (RAAF) también se están integrando en el proyecto de desarrollo del misil de crucero de ataque hipersónico (HACM) entre Estados Unidos y Australia, en el marco del programa Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE), y Australia proporciona la infraestructura de pruebas para el programa de pruebas de vuelo del arma.

 TWZ 

Australia: USA autoriza venta de 450 AIM-260 JATM

US Approves Sale of 450 AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles (JATM) to Australia

AIM 260 JATM a long-range, air-to-air weapon with an estimated operational range exceeding 200 kilometers (approx. 125+ miles) (image: Navair)

The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to four hundred fifty (450) AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missiles (JATM); up to five (5) AIM-260 JATM Integration Test Vehicles (ITV); and up to thirty (30) AIM-260 JATM Guided Test Vehicles (GTV). The following non-MDE items will also be included: ammunition containers; shoe jettison assemblies; KGV-135A embedded communications security devices; spare parts, consumables, and accessories; repair and return support; component parts and spare equipment; training aids, devices, and spare parts; weapon system support and test equipment; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; transportation support; site surveys; warranties; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $3.16 billion.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the U.S.. Australia is one of our most important allies in the Western Pacific. The strategic location of this political and economic power contributes significantly to ensuring peace and economic stability in the Western Pacific. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability.

AIM-260 Missiles will extend RAAF F-35's combat range (photo: US DoW)

The proposed sale will improve Australia's capability to meet current and future threats by ensuring Australia has modern, capable air-to-air munitions that improve interoperability between the U.S. and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Australia will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, located in Orlando, FL. At this time, the U.S. Government is not aware of any offset agreement proposed in connection with this potential sale. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to Australia.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

Federal Register