Navy F/A-18 Tests New Missile Loadout
A test jet carried both the AIM-174B and AIM-260A missiles during a flight over California.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Military
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A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 successfully flew with both the AIM-174B and AIM-260A missiles on board. The test took place over Ridgecrest, California, to evaluate new air-to-air capabilities.
Why it matters
This flight marks a step in the Air Wing of the Future initiative, which seeks to boost fighter performance against near-peer adversaries. The effort aims to modernize carrier air wings throughout the coming decade.
The test flight featured a dual-missile loadout and a Lockheed Martin IRST21 pod, following the Navy's first confirmation of AIM-260A testing in March 2025. The AIM-174B is an air-launched version of the SM-6.
The players
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31
This is a specialized U.S. Navy unit tasked with conducting flight tests and evaluating new aviation technologies and weapons.
Lockheed Martin
This global security and aerospace company is the developer of the IRST21 infrared search and track pod used in the test.
The details
The AIM-260A is intended to eventually replace the legacy AIM-120 AMRAAM, while the AIM-174B is already deployed to squadrons in Japan. The test flight validates the ability of current platforms to carry these next-generation weapons systems simultaneously.
Timeline
March 2025: U.S. Navy confirmed AIM-260A testing.
May 2026: AIM-260A first spotted on Navy fighters.
October 2026: VX-31 jet carried both AIM-174B and AIM-260A.
Political Context
Opponents and some defense analysts have raised concerns regarding the fiscal sustainability of the Air Wing of the Future initiative given current budget pressures. Critics often point to potential delays in hardware integration as a primary hurdle for these modernization goals.
The transition to these new missile systems is a long-term defense procurement strategy that does not immediately alter daily life for the average taxpayer. Residents near military testing facilities may experience occasional increases in flight activity as these systems move through the development lifecycle.
The takeaway
The simultaneous carriage of two next-generation missiles signals a rapid evolution in U.S. air-to-air combat capability. Military observers should monitor upcoming fiscal budget hearings for further details on the procurement scale of these advanced munitions.
What happens next
The Air Wing of the Future initiative is scheduled for a phased rollout to carrier air wings over the next ten years.
Further reading
For broader context on current defense advancements, read the latest updates on the United States Military.
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