Integrated Flight Tests Move AARGM Closer To Operational Status

In May, the U.S. Navy completed an initial flight integration test with its new Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) on the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft, and has just recently completed multiple flight hours of integration testing on FA-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft. This series of successful captive-carry tests is part of the process to validate the compatibility of AARGM with these platforms. With continued successful flight performance, AARGM is expected to complete the Navy's Operational Test Readiness Review and transition into initial operational test and evaluation later this year.

EA-18G Growlers

"The AARGM team continues to make great progress in demonstrating missile reliability, affordability and overall performance," said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Defense Electronics Systems, which makes the missile. "We look forward to operational testing and ultimately delivering this game-changing capability to the warfighter."

"AARGM's defense suppression capability combined with the EA-18G Growler's electronic warfare system creates a formidable advantage in joint and allied operations, and is another major step completed toward delivering AARGM capability to the Fleet," said Capt. Brian Corey, PMA 242 Program Manager for Direct & Time Sensitive Strike Weapons. "AARGM is designed to dramatically increase the effectiveness of U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force capability to suppress and destroy enemy air defense threats.  AARGM's multi-spectral seeker and advanced control section can detect, locate, guide to, and engage both fixed and mobile enemy air defense units."

The integration flights supported development testing of new aircraft software for the FA-18E/F and EA-18G aircraft, and were conducted in parallel with the ongoing AARGM Integrated Test & Evaluation (IT&E) phase on the FA-18 C/D aircraft. 

FA-18 Super Hornet

AARGM's precision capabilities allow for the destruction of modern enemy air defense systems, time-critical targets, and other mobile targets. AARGM's unique combat capability significantly increases the probability of successful engagements, minimizes the chance of collateral damage and eliminates the need to fly continuous suppression sorties throughout the duration of a conflict.

FMI: www.navy.mil, www.atk.com