ATK's AARGM Anti-Radiation Missile Earns Second Full-Rate Production Award from U.S. Navy

AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system, upgrading legacy AGM-88 HARM systems with advanced capability to perform Destruction of Enemy Air Defense missions. AARGM provides the most advanced system for pilots, with in-cockpit, real-time electronic order of battle situational awareness against today's modern surface-to-air threats. It is able to rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as non-radar, time-sensitive strike targets.

"The award of FRP 2 is a significant milestone not only for the quantity of missiles to be produced and delivered but also because it marks the beginning of AARGM deliveries to international customers through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales process," said Bill Kasting, vice president and general manager of ATK's Defense Electronic Systems division. "We are proud to provide this critical capability and look forward to continuing delivery of AARGM on schedule and on budget to the U.S. Navy and our allies."

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) submitted a signed Letter of Offer and Acceptance to the U.S. Government for the first Foreign Military Sales procurement of AARGM. The CATMs will be used for training purposes as the RAAF takes delivery of the EA-18G Growler aircraft. Production of Italian Air Force missiles continues under this contract as part of the U.S.-Italy joint international cooperative program.

AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile system, upgrading legacy AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile systems with advanced capability to perform Destruction of Enemy Air Defense missions. AARGM is able to rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based air-defense threats, as well as non-radar time-sensitive strike targets. Leveraging a digital receiver set, global positioning system/inertial navigation system guidance, digital terrain data base and the game-changing millimeter wave terminal guidance seeker, AARGM provides the most advanced system that can also provide pilots with in-cockpit, real-time electronic order of battle situational awareness against today's modern surface-to-air threats.

AARGM is a U.S. Navy and Italian Air Force international cooperative major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as the executive agent. AARGM is currently deployed on U.S. FA-18C/D Hornet aircraft, and is being integrated for use on the U.S. Navy's EA-18G Growler and FA-18 E/F Super Hornet aircraft, as well as the Italian Air Force's Tornado ECR aircraft. The missile is also compatible with the F-35, EA-6B, allied FA-18s, and U.S. and allied F-16s.