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AGM-88G AARGM-ER

AARGM Extended Range (AARGM-ER) was a new start in FY16. The AARGM-ER incorporates hardware and software modifications to improve AGM-88E AARGM capabilities to include extended range, survivability and effectiveness against future threats. The AARGM ER will be integrated on the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G. The AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile is a further (extended range) development model of the previous AARGM (AGM-88E) anti-radiation missile, so it is also called AGM-88G. The AARGM Extended Range (ER) variant is currently based on Block 1 software capabilities, which will require additional work to correct the accuracy, reliability, and software deficiencies to be effective against advanced threats.

Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) improves the baseline AARGM Block I by incorporating a new motor and additional technological advancements, resulting in increased range and missile survivability. AARGM-ER is funded for F/A-18E/F, the threshold platform, and Marine aviation is exploring options to integrate this capability on F-35 and F/A-18C/D.

In other words, from the model point of view, the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile is the latest member of the AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missile family. Therefore, it is still an air-to-surface anti-radiation missile with aircraft as the main platform. However, although AARGM-ER is a member of AGM-88 HARM family, in many respects, it has many improvements and differences from the earlier AGM-88 series, and even its predecessor AARGM (AGM-88E). Therefore, from this aspect, the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile can undoubtedly be called a new anti-radiation missile.

From the appearance of the missile body, the shape and aerodynamic layout of the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile are significantly different from all previous AGM-88 series anti-radiation missiles, including AARGM (AGM-88E). First, the four double-triangular control wings in the middle of the AGM-88 series anti-radiation missile body were cancelled.

Secondly, on both sides of the missile body, two longitudinal strip wing surfaces fused with the missile body are added. The advantage of this design is that it can provide sufficient lift for the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile while further reducing the drag during flight. In order to further increase its flight speed, and also reduce the volume of the missile itself, so that it can be easily loaded into the built-in magazine of a fifth-generation fighter such as the F-35 series, and it can also make the missile’s own radar reflection The cross-sectional area (RCS) is further reduced, thereby increasing the stealth capability of the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile, and thus the penetration capability of the missile.

In addition, in the face of the fact that the range of long-range surface-to-air missiles in the world is getting farther and farther, the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile also uses a new generation of dual-pulse solid rocket motors, which greatly improves its range. It is said that the maximum range of the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile will be expected to reach 220 kilometers (or even farther), while the maximum range of its former AARGM (AGM-88E) is only about 148 kilometers. In this way, future carriers using AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles can attack the opponent’s radar positions outside the effective range of most long-range surface-to-air missiles in active service, thereby improving the safety of the carrier platform itself.

The guidance system of the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile is further developed on the basis of the guidance system of the AARGM (AGM-88E) anti-radiation missile. It uses the "INS+GPS+ active (active) millimeter wave The "radar + broadband passive (passive) radar terminal guidance" composite conductor system integrates the corresponding data link and digital terrain database. Therefore, in the process of attacking the opponent's radar target, even if it encounters strong electromagnetic interference or the opponent's radar suddenly shuts down, it can accurately hit the target and reduce the collateral damage during the attack.

And with the help of the missile-borne data link system, the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile can not only accurately strike the target based on the target information provided by other platforms, but also provide real time to the carrier platform or the commander of the subsequent launch when the missile hits the target. The relevant target information in order to enable one to make an accurate assessment of the strike effect, so that unnecessary waste caused by repeated attacks on the target can be avoided. In addition, because the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile also uses the "active (active) millimeter-wave radar terminal guidance" system, and it also uses high-energy prefabricated fragments to kill the warhead, and the flight speed is faster, therefore, the missile not only It can be used to strike radar, and it can also be used to better strike time-sensitive targets such as land-based missile launchers and surface ships in the hands of the opponent. Therefore, the AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile can also be called a multifunctional anti-radiation missile.

The Knowledge Point (KP) 2 (Milestone B equivalent) ADM was issued on March 4, 2019 that approved entry into the EMD phase and award of the EMD contract. The EMD contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman on March 7, 2019. Rocket Motor Design Verification Test (DVT) events were successfully completed at the most environmentally stressing conditions in November 2019 and February 2020. The remaining rocket motor DVT events will complete by April 2020 and manufacturing of Pre-Flight Reliability Testing (PFRT) rocket motors will begin. The first warhead test successfully completed in January 2020 and demonstrated sufficient lethality for the projected targets.

Aircraft integration and developmental testing began with ordnance loading and handling tests of an AARGM-ER representative Dummy Air Training Missile on the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G in July and October 2019 at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. The first AARGM-ER instrumented Measurement Vehicle was provided in December 2019 and will be used for aircraft integration and risk reduction flight testing to support airworthiness testing and certification. The program completed Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board (WESERB) and Fuze and Initiation System Technical Review Panel (FISTRP) reviews of the safety elements of design.

The first of four planned missile software builds was developed and successfully tested by Northrop Grumman. The first F/A-18 and EA-18G agile software development cycle was completed by Boeing and the China Lake Advanced Weapons Lab. All subsystems finalized design elements in support of a system level Design Review in February 2020. The Technical Data Package (TDP) was finalized in February 2020 and will be in final configuration control by April 2020. The FY 2020 National Defense Appropriation Act enacted a program reduction of $6.06 million in FY 2020.

On March 8, 2019 Northrop Grumman received a $322.5 million contract from the U.S. Navy for the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) program. The AARGM-ER program was leveraging the AARGM that was currently in production. The AARGM-ER will be integrated on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft and configured for internal carriage on the F-35 Lightning II. “AARGM-ER extended range coupled with AARGM lethality will meet a critical defense suppression requirement while protecting our strike aviators,” said Cary Ralston, vice president, defense electronic systems, Northrop Grumman.