air-to-air

American  

[air-too-air, -tuh-] / ˈɛər tuˈɛər, -tə- /

adjective

1. operating between airborne objects, especially aircraft.

   air-to-air missiles; air-to-air communication.

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adverb

1. from one aircraft, missile, or the like, to another while in flight.

   They refueled air-to-air.

air-to-air British  

adjective

1. operating between aircraft in flight

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Etymology

Origin of air-to-air

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

In recent times, some including Saudi Arabia used multimillion-dollar Patriot missiles and air-to-air missiles fired from jet fighters or helicopters to destroy drones, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Originally designed for air dominance, the “E” designation refers to a “dual-role” fighter, a jet that can handle air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

From Barron's • Mar. 2, 2026

Those fighters targeted Iranian drones when Tehran attacked Israel in April 2024 in what the Air Force called the “largest air-to-air enemy engagement in over 50 years.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 1, 2026

Europe looks to Washington for intelligence, command and control capabilities, for air force capabilities - such as air-to-air refuelling - and much more.

From BBC • Dec. 8, 2025

A source told CNN that other weapons could include offensive weapons like short-range missiles, Howitzer rounds, and medium-range air-to-air missiles.

From Salon • Jul. 14, 2025