Proved Moving Maritime Target Engagement

The US Navy has completed a fourth successful flight test for the Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER), the company announced on 8 December. Conducted from an F/A-18 Super Hornet off the southern Californian coast on 30 November, the test missile successfully engaged an operationally-representative, moving maritime target.

“AARGM-ER’s performance during testing continues to validate the missile’s ability to detect, identify, locate and effectively engage critical air-defense targets from an extended range,” stated Capt Alex Dutko, Navy Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike (PMA-242). “This test proved the systems’ ability to engage moving maritime targets, a vital capability supporting our Navy’s ability to control sea lanes during conflict. Congratulations to the government/industry team for their continual focus on delivering this crucial capability to our warfighters”.

Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to deliver production AARGM-ER rounds to support Initial Operational Capability fielding within the next two years. The company has received a low-rate initial production contract for the first and second lots of AARGM-ER, which leverages existing AARGM sensors, electronics and digital models with the addition of a new high-performance air vehicle, solid rocket motor and advanced warhead, thus providing vital counter-air-defense capability for US forces. The weapon is being integrated onto the F/A-18E/F, EA-18G and F-35 platforms.

“The necessity for a reliable, standoff, survivable weapon continues to grow as our adversaries’ threat systems become longer range and more lethal,” commented Gordon Turner, VP Advanced Weapons at Northrop Grumman. “AARGM-ER continues to demonstrate the ability to affordably meet mission requirements and safeguard those protecting our country”.