AIM-160A "Screamer"

First entering service with the USAF in 2023 the AIM-160A was the first hypersonic air to air missile to be employed by any nation. With an effective range greater than 220nm the missile gave its pilots a distinct BVR advantage. The unofficial "Screamer" moniker arose due to the high pitched whistle generated by the missile’s conical intake at hypersonic speeds. The "A" variant would prove to be successful in long range engagements but once aircraft closed to within 40nm it became more of a burden. The AIM-160 weighed 722lbs, more than twice that of the AIM-120D and could not be fired effectively at such short ranges. This added weight ment that pilots were better off jettisoning the missile in a close range dogfight to improve their agility. The AIM-160A would serve for 4 years before being replaced by the AIM-160B, a variant with better short range capabilities.