- Reaction score
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This image is floating around and as I pointed out on X, there doesn’t seem to be a pilot or wso visible. Of course, they could be short pilots but I doubt it.
The 4 missiles appear to be SM6 modified for air launch and is designated AIM 174B by the USN.
I suppose next will be an F35B or C with similar configuration, or a drone.
![theaviationist.com](https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Super_Hornet_AIM-174_Heavy_Load_2.jpg)
VX-9 F/A-18F Spotted With Heavy Air-to-Air Load of AIM-174s and AIM-120s
The U.S. Navy is continuing to test the new AIM-174B missile, derived from the SM-6, aboard the Super Hornet, with a VX-9 jet carrying four AIM-174s,
![theaviationist.com](https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cropped-favicon-512-32x32.png)
It’s real, and the site has links to other Rhinos with AIM-174Bs. One was spotted at RIMPAC in the summer.
![theaviationist.com](https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/AIM-174B-top.jpeg)
First Images Emerge Of U.S. Navy Super Hornet Carrying Two Air-Launched SM-6 Missiles
The two missiles sport the designation XAIM-174B (or NAIM-174B) and were carried by Super Hornets belonging to the VFA-2 and VFA-192 taking part in RIMPAC
![theaviationist.com](https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/cropped-favicon-512-32x32.png)
![www.navalnews.com](https://www.navalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/449633981_1416402176419899_65744843809194497_n.jpg)
U.S. Navy Confirms SM-6 Air Launched Configuration is 'Operationally Deployed'
The SM-6 Air Launched Configuration (ALC), known by its official designation as the AIM-174, is the longest range air-to-air missile ever fielded by the U.S. Navy.
![www.navalnews.com](https://www.navalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cropped-favicon-1-32x32.png)