U.S. weapons maker Northrop Grumman Corp. is developing an advanced weapon system for engaging and destroying enemy air defenses and time-critical, mobile targets.
The Pentagon announced Thursday that Northrop Grumman Corp. it had got a $322,5 million order for the engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) of the AGM-88G, Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER).
The EMD effort includes the design, integration and test of a new solid rocket motor for the AARGM-ER for use on the F/A-18E/F, EA-18G and F-35A/C aircraft platforms.
A statement from the U.S. Department of Defense claims that the work is expected to be completed in December 2023.
The missile offers extended-range engagement, as well as organic, in-cockpit emitter targeting capability and situational awareness.
New capabilities for the warfighter include:
- Anti-radar strike with advanced signal processing and vastly improved frequency coverage, detection range and field of view
- Time-critical, standoff strike with supersonic GPS/INS point-to-point or point-to-MMW-terminal guidance
- Missile-impact zone control to prevent collateral damage through tightly coupled, Digital Terrain Elevation Database-aided GPS/INS
- Counter-emitter shutdown through active MMW-radar terminal guidance
- WIA transmission prior-to-impact for bomb damage assessment
The AARGM-ER incorporates additional upgrades to improve operational capability including extended range and survivability. The AARGM-ER integrates existing AGM-88E AARGM sensors and electronics with an upgraded rocket motor and tail control system.
The AGM-88E AARGM is currently deployed and supporting operational requirements for the US Navy and US Marine Corps. The missile is employed on the F/A-18C/D Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.
