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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of air-to-air

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Older models of the F-15, which could only conduct air-to-air combat, and newer ones still being built by Boeing that could also strike targets on the ground, boast a 104-0 record against enemy aircraft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 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

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

Currently the scheme does not include air-to-air heat pumps as an alternative but Mr Hezlet thinks it should because they can provide cooling as well as heating.

From BBC • Aug. 31, 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