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Orbital ATK AARGM Anti-Radiation Missile Scores Direct Hit Against Mobile Ship Target.
| 2015
The AARGM is test fired from an F/A-18D at China Lake, Calif. in June 2012. (U.S. Navy photo) |
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The AARGM shot was launched from a U.S. Navy F/A-18F
Super Hornet in a scenario designed to test the missile’s capabilities
against mobile ship targets employing advanced tactics. The AARGM utilized
its advanced anti-radiation homing sensor and millimeter wave radar to
successfully detect, identify, locate and engage the moving maritime target.
Orbital ATK participated in the missile firing as a member of the U.S. Navy's Integrated Product Team, led by the Direct and Time Sensitive Strike Program Office. Team members from the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division - China Lake led the AARGM Block 1 Upgrade test. Additional test team members included Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division – Point Mugu, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Three One, and the Naval Air Systems Command. AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system, upgrading legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with advanced capability to perform Destruction of Enemy Air Defense missions. AARGM provides the most advanced system for pilots, with in-cockpit, real-time electronic order of battle situational awareness against today’s modern surface-to-air threats. It is able to rapidly engage traditional and non-traditional advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as striking, time-sensitive targets. AARGM is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. AARGM achieved Initial Operational Capability in July 2012 and was approved by the Navy for Full Rate Production in September 2012. AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive agent. AARGM is currently deployed and supporting operational requirements for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The missile is integrated into the weapons system on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and E/A-18G Growler aircraft. AARGM is anticipated to achieve Initial Operational Capability on the Italian Air Force’s Tornado ECR aircraft in 2017. |
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