Programme On Track for 2023 IOC

Northrop Grumman and the US Navy have successfully completed a third live fire of the forthcoming AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER).

The weapon was released from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet in the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of California. The missile’s seekers “detected a land-based threat and engaged the threat system,” according to the company.

“The Navy requirement for AARGM-ER is now,” Capt A C Dutko, Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike, stated. “AARGM-ER performed as expected and detected, identified, located and engaged a land-based air defense radar system. The continued success of our developmental testing moves the program closer to fielding and providing the aircrews with the protection they need to remain ahead of adversary threats.”

As well as the E/F Super Hornet, the weapon is being integrated onto the Navy’s EA-18G Growler and F-35 platforms. The system has been in low-rate initial production since September 2021, as the programme ramps up towards an initial operating capability, scheduled to be achieved in 2023.

“Northrop Grumman is focused on delivering AARGM-ER capability to the U.S. Navy on-time to meet a critical warfighting need,” Mary Petryszyn, President of Northrop’s Defence Systems Division, said. “We understand the requirement and we have the experience and know-how as a missile prime to deliver this time critical asset on an accelerated schedule.”