Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it has been met with a stout defense that has often halted its advances. In return, Russia has been bombarding Ukraine with missiles, hitting both military and civilian targets. Attacks on city centers are often described as war crimes, and Russia has destroyed civilian infrastructure, killed civilians, and made life in many places in Ukraine difficult and dangerous.
Even though Russia may be flexing its military muscles in Ukraine with barrages of missiles, there is another world superpower with an even more impressive missile arsenal. The U.S. military possesses one of the most advanced missile arsenals in the world, with a wide range and platforms designed for a variety of operational uses.
To identify the longest-range missiles in the U.S. military arsenal, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed congressional research reports and military documents and publications, including Air & Space Forces Magazine and the U.S. Navy site. We ranked missiles according to their maximum range and added supplemental information regarding the types of bomb, which U.S. military branches use them, and the companies that make them.
This list includes defensive missiles designed to intercept approaching threats as well as tactical missile systems, anti-tank missiles, and strategic nuclear weapons. Some of the systems on the list have never been deployed, while others have been routinely used for decades. (Also see how some are used in combat: the U.S. military’s bombs and missiles and how they’re used in combat.)
Out of the U.S. arsenal, the intercontinental ballistic missiles stand out as the longest-range missiles, and they make up a critical component of the nation’s deterrence and defense strategy.
ICBMs are characterized by their reach, capable of traveling thousands of miles to strike targets with remarkable precision. The Minuteman III, a land-based missile with an operational range of over 8,000 miles, is a prime example. It serves as an integral element of the U.S. nuclear triad. (This is how an ICBM works.)
Another important component of the military’s arsenal is the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, which is one of the most widely used in modern military arsenals. It is primarily designed as an air-to-ground missile with a typical range of around 7 miles. This missile can be launched from a multitude of platforms, including helicopters, drones, and fixed-wing aircraft. It is typically used in roles such as anti-tank, anti-vehicle, and anti-ship engagements.
Here is a look at America’s longest range missiles.
35. B61 Thermonuclear Bomb
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Tactical nuclear weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Los Alamos National Laboratory and Boeing
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
34. CBU-105 SFW
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Non-explosive projectile bomb
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Textron Systems
Source: ermingut / E+ via Getty Images
33. CBU-107 PAW
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Non-explosive projectile bomb
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Textron
Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr
32. GBU-43 MOAB
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Precision-guided munitions
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: AFRL and Dynetics
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
31. GBU-57 MOP
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Precision-guided munitions
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Boeing
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
30. NGAAW
> Maximum range: Guided drop bomb
> Bomb type: Area weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Major Tool & Machine and Faxon Machining
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Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
29. BGM-71 TOW
> Maximum range: 2.5 miles
> Bomb type: Anti-tank missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Army
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
28. GBU-24/28 Paveway III
> Maximum range: 5.6 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
27. GBU-10/12/49 Paveway II
> Maximum range: 6.2 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Lockheed Martin and Raytheon
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
26. MK Family of Torpedoes
> Maximum range: 6.2 miles
> Bomb type: Anti-submarine weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
25. RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM)
> Maximum range: 6.2 miles
> Bomb type: Ship self defense
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
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24. AGM-114 Hellfire
> Maximum range: 6.8 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps
> Made by: Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
23. AGM-176 Griffin
> Maximum range: 12.4 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: ewg3D / iStock via Getty Images
22. AGM-65 Maverick
> Maximum range: 13.7 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force
> Made by: Raytheon and Northrop Grumman
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
21. Seasparrow Missile (RIM-7)
> Maximum range: 13.7 miles
> Bomb type: Surface-to-air missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon and General Dynamics
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20. GBU-54 LDJAM
> Maximum range: 14.9 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided munitions
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force, Navy
> Made by: Boeing
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19. GBU-31/32/38 JDAM
> Maximum range: 17.4 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force, Navy
> Made by: Boeing, Textron, and Honeywell
24/7 Wall St.
Source: Stocktrek Images / Stocktrek Images via Getty Images
18. GBU-69 Small Glide Munition
> Maximum range: 19.9 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided munitions
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Dynetics
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. AIM-9 Sidewinder
> Maximum range: 21.7 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-air missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy and Air Force
> Made by: Raytheon and Northrop Grumman
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
16. Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block 1 (ESSM) (RIM 162D)
> Maximum range: 31.1 miles
> Bomb type: Surface-to-air and surface-to-surface radar-guided missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: VanderWolf-Images / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. MIM-104 Patriot
> Maximum range: 55.9 miles
> Bomb type: Surface-to-air missile system
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Army
> Made by: Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing
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Source: mtcurado / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
14. AIM-120 AMRAAM
> Maximum range: 65.2 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-air missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force
> Made by: Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, and Nammo Group
24/7 Wall St.
13. GBU-53 StormBreaker
> Maximum range: 68.4 miles
> Bomb type: Precision-guided munitions
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force, Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
12. AGM-88e AARGM
> Maximum range: 69 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, and Northrop Grumman
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Source: national_museum_of_the_us_navy / Flickr
11. AGM-154 JSOW
> Maximum range: 72.7 miles
> Bomb type: Long-range standoff weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy and Air Force
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
10. A/U/RGM-84 Harpoon
> Maximum range: 86.4 miles
> Bomb type: Anti-ship missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy and Air Force
> Made by: Boeing
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Source: jetcityimage / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Standard Missile Family
> Maximum range: 149.1 miles
> Bomb type: Surface-to-air, surface-to-surface missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
24/7 Wall St.
Source: usnavy / Flickr
8. AGM-84K SLAM-ER
> Maximum range: 167.8 miles
> Bomb type: Air-to-surface weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Boeing
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
7. MGM-140/164/168 ATACMS
> Maximum range: 186.4 miles
> Bomb type: Surface-to-surface missile system
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Army
> Made by: Lockheed Martin
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Source: ewg3D / iStock via Getty Images
6. AGM-158
> Maximum range: 229.9 miles
> Bomb type: Long-range standoff weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force and Navy
> Made by: Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Honeywell
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
5. AGM-183 ARRW
> Maximum range: 994.2 miles
> Bomb type: Strategic weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Lockheed Martin
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4. Tomahawk Cruise Missile
> Maximum range: 999.8 miles
> Bomb type: Long-range subsonic cruise missile
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Raytheon
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
3. AGM-86 ALCM
> Maximum range: 1,491.3 miles
> Bomb type: Strategic nuclear weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Boeing
2. Trident II (D5) Missile
> Maximum range: 4,603.1 miles
> Bomb type: Submarine launched strategic nuclear missiles
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Navy
> Made by: Lockheed Martin and Space Co.
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1. LGM-30 Minuteman III
> Maximum range: 8,699.2 miles
> Bomb type: Strategic nuclear weapon
> Service branch user(s): U.S. Air Force
> Made by: Boeing, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman
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