The RAAF has both the AGM-88 HARM and AARGM medium-range missiles in its inventory, but a new longer-range variant currently still in development by Northrop Grumman holds a lot of appeal for Australia. The new missile is the Advanced Anti-Radiation...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
The RAAF has both the AGM-88 HARM and AARGM medium-range missiles in its inventory, but a new longer-range variant currently still in development by Northrop Grumman holds a lot of appeal for Australia.
The new missile is the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range (AARGM-ER), also known by the nomenclature AGM-88G.
In a media briefing conducted on 15 February, Captain Alex Dutko, Program Manager, Direct and Time-Sensitive Strike (PMA-242) of the US Navy, mentioned that ‘Australia has expressed interest, and we’re actively working with the government there to implement a case for AARGM-ER’.
Indeed, just a week earlier, the Australian government announced that it would be pursuing Project Air 5349 Phase 6 Advanced Growler, one strand of which is to improve anti-radiation missile war stocks, and to gain new longer-range and more advanced anti-radiation missiles. This description aligns with the characteristics of the AARGM-ER.
The AARGM-ER is launched from an aircraft to rapidly suppress and destroy enemy air defences. Compared to its predecessor the AARGM, the new missile has a longer range and faster speed. However, neither the US Navy nor Northrop Grumman would provide any details as to range and speed.
Another key feature of the AARGM-ER is that it is designed for carriage in the internal weapon bay of F-35A and F-35C fighters, though the F-35B can only carry it externally. The missile was shortened slightly to 4.06m long to fit inside the F-35A/C, though it is heavier and has a wider diameter than the AARGM.
It also fits on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler. Considering that the RAAF operates F-35As, F/A-18Fs and EA-18Gs, the AARGM-ER seems a suitable accompaniment.
Four development tests have been conducted over water for the AARGM-ER, and Dutko said overland tests will occur over the coming few months. All testing will be completed before FY2024, leading to an initial operating capability on the F/A-18 in Q1 of FY2024.
Foreign Military Sales will thus be possible from low-rate initial production Lot 4 onwards, and deliveries to foreign customers like Australia could occur from FY2026. Canberra is very concerned about the strategic threat posed by a belligerent China, a country that fields a plethora of different surface-to-air missile systems, so enhanced weapons like the AARGM-ER hold a lot of appeal.
On 12 October 2022, the US DoD announced a USD35.59 million sale of AGM-88E2 missiles, captive air training missiles, guidance and control sections for the AARGM, plus HARM missiles to Australia. The missiles will come from full-rate production Lot 11, and the work is to be completed by March 2025.
Clarivate has released its 2025 Top 100 Global Innovators list, recognising organisations that are advancing technology research and innovation. Among…
Indra Group has introduced IndraMind, an intelligence system aimed at enhancing the automation of critical operations and improving multi-domain operational…
The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) has placed an order for seven Airbus H135 helicopters as part of the…
Metro Aviation has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 36 H140 helicopters to be used in emergency…
Aircraft leasing company Jackson Square Aviation (JSA) has placed an order for 50 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft. This marks JSA’s…
Global Medical Response (GMR) has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters for up to 15 H140 helicopters for emergency medical…
Airbus Helicopters has introduced the H140, a light twin-engine helicopter, at the VERTICON event in Dallas, Texas. The 3-tonne class…
Indra has introduced an advanced NH90 helicopter simulator at Cuatro Vientos Air and Space Force base, enhancing pilot training with…
Korean Air introduced a revised corporate identity on 11 March, featuring an updated version of its Taegeuk symbol. The airline…
Vietjet has announced the launch of a new direct route between Singapore and Phu Quoc, set to commence on 30…
Italian aerospace and defence major Leonardo has announced robust financial results for 2024, with the company recording strong growth across…
Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer, is visiting Poland this week with a senior commercial and defence team,…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is preparing to procure the Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) as part…
The Israeli defence industry is exerting pressure on the ministry of defence to amend export regulations and make it easier…
Gogo has obtained Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its Galileo HDX antenna. The…
ThinKom Solutions is expanding its government and military offerings with the ThinAir GT Plus terminal. The solution, unveiled at SATELLITE…
General Atomics Systems Integration (GA-SI) and Radian Aerospace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance next-generation aerospace technologies…
Rheinmetall Defence Australia has begun assembling Multi Ammunition Soft Kill (MASS) countermeasure systems in Australia for installation on Royal Australian…
A Boeing-led team has installed the first of 20 additional silos and silo interface vaults at a newly constructed missile…
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has successfully tested advanced control laws for a ‘rotor blown wing’ uncrewed aerial system (UAS),…
magniX has announced a new series of lightweight, high-speed electric engines designed for helicopters, including light single-engine models and larger…
Embraer Commercial Aviation has set up a Global Leasing and Freighter team as part of its efforts to strengthen its…
ASELSAN has tested its GÖKBERK Mobile Laser Weapon System against first-person view (FPV) drones, which have become a growing concern…
BIRD Aerosystems has secured a contract to supply the company's Airborne Missile Protection System (AMPS), featuring the SPREOS (Self-Protection Radar…
Vietnam has received its complete order of 12 L-39 Skyfox jet trainer and light attack aircraft from Czech manufacturer Aero…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has been named "2025 Airline of the Year" by Air Transport World (ATW) at the 51st…
Jet Aviation’s Singapore facility has been accredited as an authorised member of the Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) Service Centre Network,…
The organisers of the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (Seoul ADEX) 2025 have announced changes to the event’s venue…
The Airbus-built CSO-3 Earth observation satellite has been launched successfully on Ariane 6’s first commercial flight from the European Spaceport…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) is exploring the potential acquisition of ITS Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551), an Italian Navy (Marina Militare)…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.