AARGM-ER missile confirms its ability to hit maritime targets

Northrop Grumman conducted the fourth successful flight test of the AARGM-ER extended-range anti-radiation missile.

The press service of the company reported this.

The U.S. Navy launched an AARGM-ER missile from the F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft. It had successfully hit a moving maritime target.

The tests were carried out back in late November at Point Mugu in California, but the results were reported later.

The missile confirmed its ability to detect, identify, and engage targets at a long distance.

“This test proved the systems’ ability to engage moving maritime targets, a vital capability supporting our Navy’s ability to control sea lanes during the conflict. Congratulations to the government/industry team for their continual focus on delivering this crucial capability to our warfighters,” said Capt. Alex Dutko, Navy Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike.

Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to deliver production units of AARGM-ER to support Initial Operational Capability fielding within the next two years.

Preliminary tests were held in July 2022.

AARGM-ER

AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range) is installed on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler, as well as F-35 Lightning II Navy`s aircraft.

The AARGM-ER is designed to defeat elements of enemy air defense, such as missile air defense systems, anti-satellite systems, and ground and maritime radar stations.

The AARGM-ER (AGM-88G) missile is a deep upgrade of the AARGM (AGM-88E).

The AGM-88G guidance system includes an inertial system, a GPS navigation system, and the WGU-48/B radar homing head with an active millimeter Ka-band sensor (frequency from 26.5 to 35 GHz).

Target identification and analysis algorithms are used in the multi-band active-passive radar homing WGU-48/B. This ensures the defeat of not only radiating targets but also radiocontrast targets: surface ships of various classes, launchers of anti-aircraft missile systems, and other defense system equipment.

AARGM-ER is equipped with the WAU-7/B high explosive warhead, which has already been used on previous models of the missile. The weight of the warhead is 70 kg. The warhead contains 12845 striking elements made of tungsten, and an upgraded explosive charge, which provides a greater striking capacity. The warhead is capable of penetrating a 12.7 mm thick metal sheet or 6.35 mm thick armored plate from a distance of up to 6 meters.