The Department of War signed a framework agreement with Lockheed Martin to accelerate production of the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile, the next-generation air-to-air weapon designed to replace America’s primary beyond-visual-range missile, on Sept. 17.
The agreement also opens foreign military sales of the AIM-260 to allied nations, enabling partner air forces to acquire the advanced missile system, the department said.
The AIM-260 is being developed to succeed the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, known as AMRAAM, which has been the standard U.S. air-to-air weapon for more than three decades. The new missile is designed specifically to counter advanced adversarial air defense and missile systems fielded by China and Russia.
The production ramp-up reflects urgency within the Department of War to field the next-generation weapon faster than standard acquisition timelines would allow, department officials said. The framework agreement structure is intended to provide Lockheed Martin with the production certainty needed to invest in expanded manufacturing capacity.
For U.S. air superiority — a cornerstone of American military strategy since World War II — the AIM-260 represents the margin between maintaining dominance and falling behind adversaries who are fielding increasingly capable air combat systems.
Opening the missile to foreign military sales simultaneously serves a dual purpose: it strengthens allied air forces and creates production volume that reduces per-unit costs for the U.S. military. Key allies including Japan, Australia, and NATO members operating U.S.-built fighter aircraft are expected to be among potential customers.
The AIM-120 AMRAAM has been widely exported and used by dozens of allied air forces, making its successor a high-demand item in the international defense market.
Lockheed Martin confirmed the framework agreement in a statement but did not disclose financial terms or specific production targets.
The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies has described the AIM-260 as one of the most critical munitions programs in the Department of War’s portfolio.