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.
Aura Aero and Airbus Protect have signed a cooperation agreement in view of the certification of ERA, the next regional…
GE Aerospace has announced that Patrick de Castelbajac will join the company as Chief Strategy Officer, effective June 24. He…
STS Aviation Services, a division of STS Aviation Group and a global provider of aircraft MRO solutions, has acquired UK-based…
Leonardo and partners from the passenger transport sector in Europe and Asia have announced new progress in introducing modern rotorcraft…
MRO company Bird Aviation and easyJet have announced a contract extension for another two years. The renewed contract encompasses a…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has completed durability testing for the 200-horsepower heavy fuel engine, which is being considered…
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is bringing its latest state-of-the-art solutions in air defense, radars, loitering munitions, UAVs, and electronic warfare…
Canada has awarded a contract for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) Program to SkyAlyne. The initiative, set to last 25…
ACIA Aero Leasing (ACIA) has delivered two ATR 72-212 Large Cargo Door (ATR 72 LCD) freighters to leading Australian FIFO…
Fincantieri NexTech, a subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, and CAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding( MoU) for collaboration in…
The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau of Singapore (TSIB) has issued its Preliminary Investigation findings of the SQ321 incident, which took…
The HIS consortium comprising of of Helsing GmbH and Schönhofer Sales and Engineering GmbH (SSE), a 100% subsidiary of Rohde…
Israel-based Roboteam, developer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned platforms for defence and security missions, has announced today an initial purchase…
The U.S. Air Force (USAF) recently completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation (IOT&E) of BAE System’s Eagle Passive Active Warning…
Rheinmetall will showcase many of its capabilities, including the Air defence system Skyranger 30, at the upcoming aerospace trade fair…
Satys Cabin will supply lavatory assemblies for German OEM Deutsche Aircraft's D328eco. In August 2023, Deutsche Aircraft commissioned Satys Cabin…
Revenue at Denmark's largest defense company, Terma, has grown by 17% compared to last year. Profit before tax has increased…
SITA on Tuesday announced the acquisition of Materna IPS, a company that is involved in passenger handling for airports and…
AirFi has announced that its AirFi LEO low-Earth orbit in-flight connectivity will be installed on 50 aircraft during the first…
Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, has started testing new technologies to support automatic taxiing and enhance pilot assistance…
KNDS Deutschland and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) are presenting AGM on Piranha Heavy Mission Carrier at the Future…
Airbus Helicopters, LCI, a leading aviation company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company (SMFL), have announced an order for…
Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Development Center (NIDC), AHQ Group and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to discuss…
Iberia will be launching the new Airbus A321XLR, as it will receive the first A321XLR on the market by the…
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted certification of a new Combi interior conversion option for the passenger variant of…
EDGE Group and Fincantieri have inked an agreement to launch MAESTRAL, a shipbuilding Joint Venture (JV) based in Abu Dhabi,…
Indra recently unveiled a new 360 vision system, integrating artificial intelligence (AI), designed to enhance the situational awareness and operational…
Saudia Group, comprising Saudia and flyadeal, has finalised an order for an additional 105 A320neo Family aircraft, bolstering its fleet…
Korean Air has announced a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to develop an AI Contact Center (AICC) platform…
The Italian Navy recently launched the Logistic Support Ship (LSS) "Atlante" at the Fincantieri shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia. This…
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
2024 GBP all rights reserved.