Northrop Grumman And U.S. Navy Conduct Fourth AARGM-ER Test Firing
The U.S. Navy carried out the fourth successful flight test of the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) on the 30 November. The test firing of the Northrop Grumman-manufactured missile took place off the coast of California, at the Point Mugu Sea Range.
“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,” said 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.”
The AARGM-ER is the newest version of the venerable AGM-88, with a redesigned body and new rocket motor giving it significantly more range compared to its predecessors.
The redesigned body also allows the missile to fit into the internal bays of the F-35s. Although the currently planned integration platforms for the missile are the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II, the missile’s current airframe will also form the basis for the Air Force’s Stand-In Attack Weapon.
“The necessity for a reliable, standoff, survivable weapon continues to grow as our adversaries’ threat systems become longer range and more lethal,” said Gordon Turner, vice president, advanced weapons, Northrop Grumman. “AARGM-ER continues to demonstrate the ability to affordably meet mission requirements and safeguard those protecting our country.”
The Navy carried out the first successful flight test of the AARGM-ER on July 2021 following captive carry flight tests. Following the first test flight, the missile cleared Milestone C, allowing Northrop Grumman to begin low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the system.
Back in July of this year, Northrop Grumman announced the construction of a new 113,000-square foot missile integration facility in West Virginia. According to the Northrop Grumman press release, this new facility will have the capacity to produce 600 missiles a year. Upon its completion in 2024, the facility will begin producing the second lot of low rate initial production AARGM-ERs