Northrop Grumman to produce 255 next-generation guided missiles for US Navy and Germany.

American Company Northrop Grumman has received a three-year, $165M contract modification to provide 255 next-generation guided missiles to the U.S. Navy and the German government.

The AARGM anti-radiation missile, used by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Italian air force, pictured on display. (Picture of Orbital ATK)

The award modifies a firm-fixed-price contract awarded to Northrop's Alliant Techsystems Operations business and covers full-rate production work for lot 9 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles, the Department of Defense said Thursday.

Northrop Grumman's Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system. It has the capability to perform Destruction of Enemy Air Defense missions and is an upgrade to the U.S. Navy AGM-88 HARM system. AARGM is able to rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based air defense threats, as well as non-radar, time-sensitive strike targets. Northrop Grumman's potential material solution to the U.S. Navy's AARGM Extended Range requirement utilizes existing AARGM sensors, electronics and warhead.

AARGM is an air-launched missile with the capability to rapidly engage air-defense threats. AARGM is currently deployed with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft. AARGM is also integrated on the Italian Air Force’s Tornado Electronic Combat aircraft.

As part of the modification, Northrop will update Advanced Guided Missle-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles into 253 AGM-88E rounds with the AARG configuration for the Navy.

The company will also convert two of the rounds into Captive Air Training Missiles for the German government.

Naval Air Systems Command will obligate fiscal 2019 and 2020 Navy funds as well as foreign military sales funds at the time of award.