Northrop Grumman announces AARGM-ER second flight
An AARGM-ER is successfully launched from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet during a recent test. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Development of the AARGM-ER continues with its second successful test flight.
Northrop Grumman has announced the successful completion of the second flight test of its AGM-88G Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
The US Navy launched the missile from a F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft on 21 January off the coast of southern California.
The missile performed an extended range profile, engaging a land-based, emitter target staged at a nearby island.
Captain A.C. Dutko, Navy Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike commented: ‘This second flight test verified AARGM-ER’s ability to detect, identify, locate and engage a land-based air defence radar system from an extended range’.
Northrop Grumman achieved authorisation for LRIP in September 2021 and is now under contract to deliver production units of AARGM-ER to support a 2023 IOC fielding.
In December 2021, the company received a $45.6 million contract for the second lot of AARGM-ER LRIP.
AARGM-ER leverages existing state-of-the-art AARGM sensors, electronics and digital models with the addition of a new high-performance air vehicle, solid rocket motor propulsion system and advanced warhead.
The system is being integrated on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and F-35A/B/C aircraft.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the AARGM-ER is scheduled to achieve IOC on Super Hornets in September 2023.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation]()
UK air focus: Drone spending trails European frontline states despite $10.46 billion valuation
Despite the UK having the third-largest military UAV market in Europe, the country appears to be underinvesting in the capability relative to the size of its economy, particularly when compared with Baltic and eastern European states.
-
![Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft]()
Proteus: Forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with UK Defence Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
![US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet]()
US Air Force to add new capabilities to its in-service and future T-7A fleet
As the T-7A programme recovers from delays and rising costs, the USAF is signalling new opportunities in anti-jamming GPS, collision avoidance, advanced flight controls and pilot interface improvements.
-
![“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare]()
“Fifth-gen capability without the cost”: how autonomous strike can change the face of air warfare
In Conversation… Armor Harris, Senior Vice President for Aircraft at Shield AI, talks to Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan about why cost-effective autonomous aircraft are a game-changer for air forces worldwide, and the key roles played by VTOL and AI as enabling technologies.
-
![Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns]()
Additional delays might hit Pentagon’s critical air programmes, GAO warns
B-52 modernisation, Sentinel, MH-139A, T-7A and Air Force One replacement are among the US Air Force programmes the GAO says remain at risk of further schedule slips and cost growth due to acquisition and management challenges.
-
![NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy]()
NATO’s GlobalEye selection reflects a move towards greater European defence autonomy
The joint acquisition of Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft by 11 allies marks the end of NATO’s more than four-decade reliance on a US-built airborne early warning platform.
