Australia authorized to purchase AARGM-ER anti-radiation missiles

The U.S. State Department has authorized the possible sale to Australia of Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Extended Range Missiles (AARGM-ER) and related equipment.

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The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) issued a statement informing of the Australian request for the purchase of up to sixty-three (63) Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Extended Range Missiles (AARGM-ER) and up to twenty (20) AARGM-ER Captive Airborne Training Missiles (CATM).

Also included are AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range Dummy Air Training Missiles (AARGM-ER DATMs), containers, component parts and support equipment; Repair of Repairables; software (Classified and Unclassified); publications (Classified and Unclassified); training (Classified and Unclassified); transportation; U.S. Government and Contractor engineering support; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated total cost is $506 million.

The prime U.S. contractor will be Northrop Grumman Information Systems. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

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See also: Australia to upgrade its EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircrafts

AARGM-ER Anti-Radar Missile

The new AARGM-ER extended-range missile is the latest evolution of the famous AGM-88 HARM missile, used intensively by all U.S. armed forces, allies and customers, to destroy enemy radars. It also recently came into operation aboard Ukrainian MiG-29s, which was employed against Russian air defense systems.

This latest version takes the electronics and warhead of the AGM-88E (which began production in 2012) and «packs» it into a new aerodynamic body, adding a higher-performance rocket motor.

The goal was not only to increase the weapon’s range, but also to make it compatible with the internal bays of Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighters.