Australia purchasing Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range worth US$506Mn.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on February 27 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ERs) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $506 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

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On November 30, 2022, Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile is launched from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft  (Picture source: U.S. Navy)

The Government of Australia has requested to buy up to sixty-three (63) Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ERs); and up to twenty (20) AARGM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles (CATMs). Also included are AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range Dummy Air Training Missiles (AARGM-ER DATMs), containers, component parts and support equipment; Repair of Repairables; software (Classified and Unclassified); publications (Classified and Unclassified); training (Classified and Unclassified); transportation; U.S. Government and Contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $506 million.

The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by suppressing and destroying land or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defenses. This capability denies the adversary the use of its air defense systems, thereby improving the survivability of Australia’s tactical aircraft.

The prime U.S. contractor will be Northrop Grumman Information Systems, Ridgecrest, CA. Implementation of this proposed sale will require U.S. Government personnel and U.S. Contractor representatives to visit Australia on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, including program and technical reviews.

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER)

Northrop Grumman on December 8, 2022, announced that it had completed the fourth successful flight test of its AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER). The U.S. Navy launched the missile from an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft on November 30 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of southern California, successfully engaging an operationally representative, moving maritime target.

“AARGM-ER’s performance during testing continues to validate the missile’s ability to detect, identify, locate and effectively engage critical air-defense targets from an extended range,” said CAPT. Alex Dutko, Navy Program Manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike (PMA-242). “This test proved the systems’ ability to engage moving maritime targets, a vital capability supporting our Navy’s ability to control sea lanes during a conflict. Congratulations to the government/industry team for their continual focus on delivering this crucial capability to our warfighters.”

The missile is equipped with an advanced guidance system that uses a multi-mode seeker to locate and track enemy radar systems. Once the radar system is detected, the missile can quickly and accurately home in on the target and destroy it with a high-explosive warhead. The AARGM-ER missile is expected to have a range of over 120 km, which is more than twice the range of the current AARGM missile.

The AARGM-ER missile is also designed to be highly survivable, with features such as low observability and advanced electronic countermeasures that can help the missile evade enemy air defenses.

Northrop Grumman is currently under contract to deliver production units of AARGM-ER to support Initial Operational Capability fielding within the next two years. Northrop Grumman has received a low-rate initial production contract for the first and second lots of AARGM-ER.

AARGM-ER leverages existing AARGM sensors, electronics and digital models with the addition of a new high-performance air vehicle, solid rocket motor and advanced warhead to provide a vital counter-air-defense capability for U.S Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps warfighters.

“The necessity for a reliable, standoff, survivable weapon continues to grow as our adversaries’ threat systems become longer range and more lethal,” said Gordon Turner, vice president of advanced weapons, at Northrop Grumman. “AARGM-ER continues to demonstrate the ability to affordably meet mission requirements and safeguard those protecting our country.”

AARGM-ER is being integrated into the Navy F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft as well as the F-35 aircraft. The AARGM-ER missile is expected to be a key component of the U.S. Navy's future air-to-ground strike capabilities, providing a long-range, precision-guided weapon that can neutralize enemy air defenses and help protect friendly aircraft and ground forces.