US orders Lot 10 and Lot 11 AARGM
An AGM-88E2 AARGM is launched from an F/A-18 during testing. (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
A new $153 million deal from US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) will see Northrop Grumman produce and deliver Lot 10 and Lot 11 AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGMs) for the USN and German Air Force (under the FMS programme).
The contract includes an option to convert 51 AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARMs) into AGM-88E AARGM all-up-rounds for the German Air Force.
Work is expected to be completed in March 2025.
Describing AARGM on 30 November as ‘an affordable solution to continue protecting the US Navy and our allies’, Gordon Turner, Northrop Grumman VP of advanced weapons, added: ‘The ability to detect and defeat the rapid proliferation of today’s surface-to-air-threats, while remaining out of harm’s way, is paramount to mission success.’
Northrop Grumman has produced more than 1,500 AARGM missiles in an international cooperative acquisition programme with the USN and the Italian Air Force. The supersonic AARGM upgrades legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with the advanced capability to perform suppression of enemy air defence systems.
Northrop Grumman is also developing the AARGM–Extended Range missile in partnership with the USN.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Boeing beats out Lockheed to scoop NGAD $20 billion contract
Designated ‘F-47’, the sixth-generation fighter will serve as a replacement for Lockheed’s F-22 Raptor, currently in service with the USAF.
-
US Air Force needs to “rebuild to win”, says deputy chief of staff of operations
Aging aircraft, fewer platforms and a lack of replacements for retired systems has impacted the US Air Force’s lethality and training capabilities, according to the force’s deputy chief of staff for operations.
-
India unveils rebranded armed Hermes 650 UAS for tactical operations
India advances indigenous UAV integration with Akshi 7 and Drishti 10.
-
France to buy more Rafale jets and invest €1.5 billion in upgrading air base
The Luxeuil Saint-Sauveur air base will be modernised to ensure it can host nuclear weapons as France continues efforts to boost its nuclear deterrence.
-
South Korea and Singapore partner with Shield AI to develop autonomous flight technologies
Both contracts will see Shield AI work with Korea Aerospace Industries and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) on autonomous flight operations for UAVs, leveraging the company’s Hivemind technology.