Production of the AGM-88G can begin with small quantities

The AGM-88, better known as Harm (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile), has been one of the most successful and widely used missiles in the world for many years. It can be used by aircraft crews to combat ground-based radar stations. The FK was used by the US Navy in the wars in the Gulf, among others. Since 2018, manufacturer Northrop Grumman has been working on an improved version of the current AGM-88E on behalf of the Pentagon. On 19 July this year, the new AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile - Extended Range) missile was successfully fired from an F/A-18 Super Hornet for the first time. In a test area off the southern Californian coast, the engineers demonstrated that the system integration was successful and that the new components functioned as intended.

The Navy has now announced that the first production phase can be started once another development milestone has been reached. Two small batches can be assembled and delivered in the coming months. The new missile utilises the warhead and guidance system of its predecessor, the AGM-88E. In its modernised fuselage, however, it has a completely new rocket motor, which should more than double the operational range to around 300 kilometres and increase the maximum speed to Mach 4. The AARGM-ER will initially be deployed on board the US Navy's carrier-based fighter aircraft, the F/A-18E/F and the EA-18G. Later, it will also be possible to equip the more modern F-35A and F-35C with it.

First live shot of the AGM-88G from an F/A-18 on 19 July

Text: mb; Photos: Northrop Grumman, US Navy