F-22 Achieves Record-Breaking AIM-120 AMRAAM Shot with F3R Upgrades

USA : The United States Air Force has set a new benchmark in aerial combat capability as Raytheon, under RTX, confirmed on 16 September 2025 that the AIM-120 AMRAAM achieved its longest known shot during a trial from an F-22 Raptor. Conducted at Eglin Air Force Base in the fall of 2024, the test validated the missile’s extended flight profile and showcased the impact of the Form, Fit, Function Refresh (F3R) modernization program.

For more than three decades, the AMRAAM has been the backbone of U.S. and allied air superiority, fielded by over 40 nations and integrated onto 14 aircraft platforms. With more than 6,000 successful firings and a proven combat record, it remains the most trusted medium-range air-to-air weapon in the Western arsenal. The tested AIM-120D-3 variant incorporates F3R enhancements that optimize software, guidance electronics, and power systems, enabling longer time of flight and extending effective range beyond previously acknowledged figures. While official range numbers remain classified, the achievement clearly surpasses the already impressive envelope associated with earlier D-series models.

The implications are significant. Technically, this record-breaking demonstration allows fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35 to engage hostile aircraft before entering enemy missile envelopes, thereby increasing survivability. Comparisons with adversary systems, such as China’s PL-15 and Russia’s R-37M, show that the AMRAAM remains competitive in the global race for long-range intercept capability. Strategically, it underscores Washington’s determination to preserve its edge in the Indo-Pacific, where future air battles are expected to be fought at greater distances.

Raytheon has confirmed that missiles currently leaving the production line already include the range-extension capabilities demonstrated in the test. Recent contracts, including a record multibillion-dollar procurement by the U.S. Air Force and foreign military sales to allied nations, ensure the missile’s continued prominence. This export success strengthens allied inventories while supporting economies of scale in production.

Beyond its tactical advantage, the test sends a clear geopolitical signal. At a time when rival powers are introducing new long-reach weapons, the United States and its allies are demonstrating that their legacy systems are not static but evolving. The record-shot proves that with sustained investment, iterative modernization, and operational testing, even a decades-old platform like the AMRAAM can continue to shape the balance of airpower well into the future.