The US Air Force is studying a new ultra‑long‑range air‑to‑air missile with a range exceeding 1,600 kilometres. The project, listed in the FY2027 budget as the “Ultra Long‑Range Air‑to‑Air Missile,” aims to give fighters the ability to engage high‑value targets such as AWACS, tankers, ISR aircraft and other strategic assets from great distances. If realized, the weapon would have several times the range of current US air‑to‑air missiles and could reshape aerial combat, particularly in the Pacific region and in countering China. The program remains in early stages, with no technical details or development timeline released.