The US Navy has contracted Northrop Grumman to produce and deliver 118 extended range air-launched anti-radiation missiles.
A total of 84 AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles – Extended Range (AARGM-ER) will be delivered to the US Navy and the rest to the US Air Force.
The $235-million low-rate initial production lot three award will be completed bt February 2027.
AARGM-ER
The future missile’s production contract follows its fifth flight test in May.
Production will start later this year, followed by initial operational capability in 2024.
The missile has been in development since 2015, with the first live test performed in 2021.
It will be fitted on the navy’s F/A-18E/F, EA-18G and air force F-35A aircraft.
The Navy/Marine Corps F-35C and Marine Corps F-35B are also expected to be equipped with the missile.
Apart from the US military, Finland and Australia have also requested the missile.
Upgrade Missile
The weapon is an upgrade on the AGM-88E AARGM, featuring a significantly higher speed and range.
The AGM-88E has a stated range of 80 kilometers (50 miles) and can attain a speed of Mach 2 at terminal stage.
Similar to its predecessor, the AGM-88G is expected to neutralize relocatable enemy integrated air defense systems by homing in on their radars and striking them.
It features a GPS-assisted inertial navigation system and a millimeter-wave seeker capable of locating targets even if they have switched off and stopped emitting signals.
