The AIM-120C/D AMRAAM is the clipped-fin United States beyond-visual-range missile branch used from fighter aircraft and, without changing the missile, as the baseline interceptor in NASAMS. RTX describes AMRAAM as a dual-role air-to-air and surface-launch weapon; direct conflict sources document Ukrainian NASAMS AMRAAM support and later AIM-120C-8 wreckage reporting, Saudi AIM-120 use against Houthi drones, and AIM-120C-5 wreckage from the 2019 India-Pakistan air engagement.
Ukraine fields AMRAAM missiles through NASAMS air-defense systems in the full-scale war; UK and U.S. records document AMRAAM support for Ukraine, Norwegian sources describe NASAMS missile resupply, and TWZ reported imagery evidence of AIM-120C-8 wreckage after a Russian attack on Dnipro.
Role detailsRoyal Saudi Air Force fighters used AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles to shoot down Houthi drones during the Saudi-led campaign; TWZ reported the Saudi replenishment package included AIM-120C-7 and C-8 models.
Role detailsIndia displayed AIM-120C-5 wreckage after the February 2019 Kashmir air engagement and said a Pakistani aircraft fired the missile during the encounter.
The C/D page groups the clipped-fin AMRAAM branch used for fighter internal carriage and NASAMS surface launch. C-series missiles cover the common export and NASAMS baseline; D-series missiles are the later U.S. configuration, with D-3 and C-8 production carrying the F3R refresh.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| AIM-120C | Clipped-fin AMRAAM family | The AIM-120C series began deliveries in 1996. Air Force Test Center describes AIM-120C as using clipped wings and fins for F-22 internal carriage and a six-missile Raptor loadout. Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file, AFTC F-22 AMRAAM integration profile |
| AIM-120C-8 | International F3R variant | Raytheon's F3R announcement says C-8 testing continued for international customers and that planned AMRAAM production would be D-3 or C-8 variants with F3R functionality; RTX separately says the first AIM-120C-8 flight test was completed in 2023 from an F-15C. Sources: Raytheon AIM-120D-3 F3R milestone, RTX AIM-120C-8 first flight test |
 | Later U.S. AMRAAM configuration | The Navy fact file says joint AIM-120D procurement began in FY2006 and the latest Navy hardware variant reached IOC in January 2015; Raytheon identifies D-3 as the F3R refresh. Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file, Raytheon AIM-120D-3 F3R milestone |
Official and manufacturer sources identify AMRAAM as a fighter-carried missile family integrated across U.S. and allied aircraft.
| Carrier | Carrier type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Carrier-based stealth fighter | The F-35C Fast Facts sheet lists two AIM-120C/D air-to-air missiles in the carrier variant's standard internal weapons load. Sources: F-35 Fast Facts - January 2021 |
 | Stealth multirole fighter family | RTX says the newest AMRAAM is operational on all F-35 Joint Strike Fighter variants and is the radar-guided air-to-air missile cleared to fly on the F-35. Sources: RTX AMRAAM missile |
 | Multirole fighter | The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists AMRAAM compatibility with F-16 aircraft, and RTX includes F-16 integration among AMRAAM carrier aircraft. |
 | Air-superiority fighter family | The Navy fact file lists Air Force F-15 platforms for AMRAAM, and RTX lists F-15 Eagle and Strike Eagle integration. Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file, RTX AMRAAM missile |
 | Stealth air-superiority fighter | Air Force Test Center describes AIM-120C internal carriage on the F-22, and the Navy fact file lists F-22 among Air Force AMRAAM platforms. Sources: AFTC F-22 AMRAAM integration profile, U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file |
 | Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter | RTX's AMRAAM page includes F/A-18 Super Hornet integration and shows AMRAAM F3R test-launch context from an F/A-18F. Sources: RTX AMRAAM missile |
 | Carrier-capable strike fighter | The Navy fact file lists F/A-18C/D among U.S. Navy and Marine Corps AMRAAM platforms. Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file |
 | Multirole fighter | RTX lists AMRAAM integration on the Eurofighter Typhoon. Sources: RTX AMRAAM missile |
 | Multirole fighter | RTX lists AMRAAM integration on the JAS 39 Gripen. Sources: RTX AMRAAM missile |
AMRAAM is also used from NASAMS, which lets operators use the same missile in air-to-air and surface-launch roles.
| Launcher | Launcher type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Networked surface-to-air missile system | RTX describes AMRAAM as the baseline weapon on NASAMS, while Kongsberg says NASAMS employs the Raytheon AMRAAM used on fighter aircraft. Sources: RTX AMRAAM missile, Kongsberg NASAMS Air Defence System |
The U.S. Navy fact file lists September 1991 as the AIM-120 AMRAAM deployment date.
Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file
NAVAIR says Navy AMRAAM Initial Operating Capability was completed in September 1993.
Sources: NAVAIR AMRAAM product page
The Navy fact file says AIM-120C series deliveries began in 1996 and continue for U.S. allies.
Sources: U.S. Navy AIM-120 AMRAAM fact file
Air Force Test Center described AIM-120C as clipped-wing and clipped-fin for internal F-22 carriage and a six-missile loadout.
Sources: AFTC F-22 AMRAAM integration profile
A Department of Defense Ukraine contracting fact sheet lists AMRAAM awards connected to Ukraine support and replacement actions in August 2022.
Sources: DoD Ukraine Contracting Actions January 2023
Raytheon announced that the AIM-120D-3 completed its Functional Configuration Audit and that C-8 testing for international customers continued under the same F3R modernization path.
Sources: Raytheon AIM-120D-3 F3R milestone
RTX said the U.S. Air Force and Raytheon completed the first AIM-120C-8 flight test, firing the latest international F3R variant from an F-15C and downing the target.
Sources: RTX AIM-120C-8 first flight test
The U.S. contract notice awarded Raytheon a not-to-exceed $3.5 billion AMRAAM Lots 39 and 40 production action covering missiles, telemetry systems, spares, and production-engineering support.
Sources: DoD AMRAAM Lots 39 and 40 contract
Raytheon said F-22 tests conducted in fall 2024 demonstrated extended AMRAAM time of flight and were tied to the F3R development effort.
Sources: Raytheon longest-known AMRAAM shot
Norway said it had delivered a significant number of air-defense missiles so Ukrainian NASAMS systems could continue protecting against Russian missile and drone attacks.
Sources: Norway secures air defence missiles for Ukraine
RTX said Raytheon, the U.S. government, and NATO partners began feasibility studies to qualify additional European suppliers for priority AMRAAM components.
Sources: RTX NATO AMRAAM production expansion
