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

See Examples For:

air-to-air

But they have also relied on more expensive and harder-to-produce air-to-air missiles, such as the AIM-120, that cost $1 million each, according to a report from the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 30, 2026

Its arsenal features Soviet surface-to-air missile defense systems, an unknown number of air-to-air missiles, and a small fleet of aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 23, 2026

The F-15E is a dual-role fighter jet designed for both air-to-ground and air-to-air missions.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2026

RTX makes External link SM-3 interceptors, AMRAAM, advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles, and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

From Barron's ● Mar. 3, 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