The AIM-174B Gunslinger has been identified by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) as a possible platform for hypersonic missile defense using newly developed ‘area effect’ warheads.
A solicitation published by the MDA has directly referenced the SM-6 Air Launched Capability (AIM-174B) as an option for the agency to develop, test, and field new warheads designed for hypersonic missile defense. The solicitation outlines the MDA’s interest in a Phase II proposal, or one that has already demonstrated capability in achieving the performance requirements for high-end missile defense.
The solicitation, titled ‘Prototype Payloads’, identifies the need for ‘wide area effect concepts’ at sea to defend against high speed maneuvering threats. Future deployed area effect concepts would, according to the solicitation, supplement hit-to-kill weapons like the RIM-161, as well as the terminal defense capabilities provided by the RIM-174 and soon-to-be integrated PAC-3 MSE.
“These capabilities will augment existing and future Missile Defense Agency (MDA) weapon systems, providing a wide area effect capability. The proposed system-integrated payload concepts will compliment current hit-to-kill capabilities. This effort seeks to understand possible payload configurations for incorporation into various defensive systems.”
MDA Solicitation
When asked, MDA officials clarified that the effort, pitched to small businesses, was solely for the warhead and not a delivery vehicle. Expectations of contractors are to develop a warhead capable of being integrated on several platforms with a specific interest in an air-launched capability.
MDA officials also clarified that the interest is focused on mature, integrated designs that can be demonstrated as such if a contract is awarded. The MDA also identified scalable payloads as a high priority, dependent on the delivery vehicle’s size and power delivery capability. The AIM-174B was specifically identified as an air-launched delivery vehicle of interest.
The AIM-174B is a direct descendant of the Standard Missile-6, a surface-to-air missile that has proven capabilities against maneuvering threats and high speed targets, up to medium range ballistic missiles, in the terminal stage of flight. The next increment, SM-6 Block IAU, completed virtual testing against a live-fired hypersonic target, performing as intended in the first test of its kind performed by the MDA and U.S. Navy. It was identified as a potential delivery vehicle system by the MDA.
The AIM-174B does not use the MK72 first stage booster of its parent missile—the SM-6—due to size, weight, and aircraft balance restrictions. Despite that, it could still be more efficient as the parent aircraft is already flying at high altitudes compared to a surface launch from a warship, making the AIM-174B a viable option for hypersonic defense.
Raytheon’s surface-launched SM-6 has proven capabilities against a wide range of threats, including limited capability against hypersonic threats. In 2022, U.S. Navy officials said the SM-6 was the only hypersonic defense system fielded by the United States. Since then, the PAC-3 MSE has also proven its capability, successfully engaging hypersonic missiles over Ukraine.
For high end hypersonic threats, especially in large numbers, an air launched capability would provide even greater flexibility to forces on the ground, offering a larger area of defended footprint and the opportunity to deploy interceptors on highly mobile platforms for expeditionary and homeland defense missions.
