Northrop Grumman finishes fifth successful test of U.S. Navy’s anti-radiation guided missile

In the fifth consecutive test of the U.S. Navy’s AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) this week, Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully detected, identified, located, and engaged a land-based emitter target.

“AARGM-ER provides the Navy with a demonstrated capability to stay ahead of adversary threats,” Gordon Turner, vice president of advanced weapons at Northrop Grumman, said. “This successful live fire continues to prove the missile’s extended range, readiness, and effectiveness.”

The AARGM is a counter-air defense missile capable of jet mounting, which will allow it to be integrated into the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, along with the Air Force F-35A, Marine Corps F-35B and Navy/Marine Corps F-35C, one delivery begin later this year. These deliveries will support initial operational capability in the Navy starting in 2024.

Development of the extended range for this device utilized both digital modeling and integrated advanced AARGM sensors and electronics, paired with upgraded propulsion and optimizations for its warhead. The team responsible for its development was awarded the William J. Perry Award for its contributions to precision strike systems capable of bolstering national security and advancing the nation’s precision strike advantages in combat.

“AARGM-ER once again demonstrated high-speed employment of lethal effects against an air defense system target,” U.S. Navy Capt. Alex Dutko, Navy program manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike, said. “This is another successful step in our government-industry team’s effort to deliver this critically needed capability to our warfighters.”

When deployed, this new missile system will begin replacing the AGM-88 HARM, which has a range of between 13 nautical miles (nmi) at low-level and 160 nmi.