Northrop Grumman reaches AARGM-ER design milestone
Northrop Grumman has completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) of key components for the USN’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) programme, the company confirmed on 18 June.
The most recent verification tests concerned the AARGM-ER rocket motor and warhead along with subsystem and system-level performance.
Gordon Turner, VP Advanced Weapons at Northrop Grumman, said: ‘Rocket motor design verification tests represented a significant knowledge point and milestone for engineering and manufacturing development… These tests were important to informing the CDR and verifying performance of the missile. With our government partners, we are aggressively focused on achieving ‘speed to fleet’ while holding to programme cost objectives.’
The AARGM-ER is to be integrated on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fighter aircraft platforms with the possible future use on the F-35A/B/C.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Northrop Grumman notes $477 million loss as it manages higher B-21 programme costs
In its Q1 earnings call, the company disclosed a US$477 million pretax loss related to the programme as it works to scale up.
-
India set to sign Rafale-M deal
New Delhi gears up to sign Navy Rafale deal as talks swirl around a potential assembly line in Nagpur.
-
Lockheed Martin wants to “supercharge” F-35 after NGAD loss
The investment in technologies developed for Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) aircraft bid will now be applied to its F-35 and F-22 aircraft, according to Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet.
-
USSOCOM outlines acquisition priorities for FY2026
The service is seeking all-domain autonomous and counter-robotic solutions as well as deep sensing and assured access technologies.
-
Why SCAF and GCAP should seek common ground
Can international industrial collaboration to develop common technologies applicable to different future aircraft programmes – like GCAP or SCAF – prevail in the face of politics?
-
USAF evaluates potential E-7A upgrades
The US Air Force is assessing and identifying capability upgrades for the AEW&C aircraft, including the possible replacement of the E-7A’s MESA radar and electronic warfare self-protection system.