The Navy needs a long range heat-seeking missile to deal with the fact that it is well on its' way toward fielding an obsolete carrier air wing vs. high end threats.
The Navy's worries started a few years ago when they ordered a hybrid centerline-drop-tank/infra-red search and track (IRST) to be slung under the Super Hornet.
That IRST shows up in Super Hornet sales briefs giving twice the potential range of its' on-board APG-79 AESA radar.
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Using an AIM-9X body is a bad idea if one wants to extend range. A new fatter shape and increased weight for more rocket fuel means new, extra, more expensive airframe clearance tests.
Easier would be to put an AIM-9X-like sensor on an AMRAAM. It already has the range, networking and airframe clearance.
Networking is important for the near silent attack ability that the F-22 has with its passive AN/ALR-94. An F-22 with 6 internal-carry AMRAAMs of sensor choice would be useful.
Why mention the USAF and the F-22? In this budget environment, no air-to-air missile program is going to survive a single-service need.
Because the AMRAAM is being integrated for internal carry on the F-35, an optional long-range heater based on this missile makes sense.
A heater AMRAAM would also make the only modern (in-production) jet that works on USN carriers-the Super Hornet--less of a push-over.
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