Northrop Grumman’s AARGM-ER Shifts to Low Rate Initial Production

The extended-range version of the AGM-88G advanced anti-radiation guided missile enters the low-rate initial production phase of the program after the U.S. Navy awarded Northrop Grumman a contract to continue.

“LRIP marks an important milestone for AARGM-ER and the confidence the US Navy has in the program and its capabilities,” said Captain Alex Dutko, Navy Program Manager for Direct Time Sensitive Strike. “AARGM-ER will provide the US Navy and our allies with unparalleled protection.”

As prime contractor for the AARGM-ER, Northrop Grumman worked with a team of partners from the US Navy and industry to develop an effective production missile design, successfully reaching Milestone C in just 28 months after the engineering and manufacturing development contract was awarded. The team worked tirelessly to mitigate risk and prove the maturity of the system.

“The evolution of the AARGM family with AARGM-ER is a major milestone in our ability to provide the United States and our allies with a superior capability to detect and defeat opposing air defense threats,” said Gordon Turner, vice -President, Advanced Weapons, Northrop Grumman. “This milestone underlines the exceptional effort and professionalism demonstrated by the government and industry team. “

The AARGM-ER is a major upgrade to the existing AARGM, currently in production and deployed with the Navy and several allies today.

The AARGM-ER is being integrated into the Navy F / A-18E / F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft as well as the F-35A aircraft of the Air Force, Marine Corps F-35B and Navy F-35C.