1 May 2020: Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded USD 165 million contract for the Lot 9 full rate production (FRP) of the AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) in March. The contract by US Navy includes all-up round missiles and captive air training missiles for the US Navy and foreign military sales.
AARGM is a US Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative major defence acquisition program with the US Navy as the executive agent.
Features of Northrop Grumman's Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM)
- It is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system.
- It is an upgraded version of legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with advanced capability to perform suppression and destruction of enemy air defence missions.
- It is the most advanced system for pilots against today's modern surface-to-air threats.
- It is able to rapidly engage land- and sea-based air-defence threats, as well as striking, time-sensitive targets.
- It is currently deployed and supporting operational requirements for the US Navy and US Marine Corps.
- The missile is integrated into the weapons systems on the FA-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler aircraft and the Tornado Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft utilized by the Italian Air Force.
"AARGM provides the U.S. Navy and allies unmatched protection to detect and defeat surface-to-air-threats regardless of threat tactics and capabilities," said Gordon Turner, vice president, advanced weapons, Northrop Grumman.