Anti-Radiation Missile Improvement

The ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE IMPROVEMENT program is a Navy-led Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) initiative focused on enhancing the operational capabilities of anti-radiation missile systems, specifically the AGM-88 family. The program aims to maintain and improve the effectiveness of these systems against evolving and increasingly complex air defense threats, ensure compatibility with modern mission planning tools, and extend the range and survivability of these weapons. It is structured into several key project units, each with specific objectives and deliverables, and is managed in coordination with the United States Air Force and other stakeholders.

ARM Improvement is centered on the continual enhancement of the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), and the AARGM-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) variants. The primary objectives include updating missile databases to address new threat parameters, conducting ground and flight testing against both actual and surrogate threat systems, and integrating findings into fleet tactics and training. The program supports Foreign Material Assessment (FMA) activities, which evaluate missile performance against emerging air defense systems, support the development of new algorithms, and procure test assets and surrogate threat hardware. These efforts are coordinated through the ARM Steering Committee to ensure alignment with fleet priorities and current intelligence.

AARGM focuses on the continued development and sustainment of the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile, which incorporates multi-mode guidance including passive anti-radiation homing, active millimeter wave radar, GPS, and inertial navigation. Objectives include upgrading electronic intelligence (ELINT) files, performing ground and flight tests to validate updates, correcting deficiencies identified through operational use, and integrating the missile with the Next Generation Naval Mission Planning System (NGNMPS). The program also addresses technology obsolescence and ensures that the AARGM remains effective in denied or contested environments.

AARGM-ER is dedicated to the development and fielding of the AGM-88G AARGM-Extended Range missile. This effort aims to significantly increase the missile's range, speed, and survivability to counter advanced anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) threats. Activities include continued engineering and manufacturing development, integration and testing of the M-Code/Guidance Processor redesign, operational and developmental testing, and further integration into NGNMPS. The program also supports the development of a virtual store training capability and addresses classified requirements to ensure the missile meets emerging operational needs. The AARGM-ER is scheduled to achieve Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in FY 2026.

Congressional Adds in FY 2024 provided targeted funding for research, prototyping, and demonstration of Solid Fuel Ramjet (SFRJ) propulsion technology. The goal of this effort is to incorporate SFRJ into tactically relevant missile form-factors, achieving supersonic speeds, increased range, and reduced time to target, while leveraging affordable materials and existing manufacturing processes. This technology is intended to enhance the lethality and cost-effectiveness of future missile systems, with demonstration activities led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and Northrop Grumman Defense Systems.

Across all projects, the ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE IMPROVEMENT program emphasizes rigorous test and evaluation, system engineering, and fleet engagement to ensure that missile systems remain effective against rapidly evolving threats. The program supports procurement of test equipment, development of updated algorithms, and integration of new technologies into operational systems. Acquisition strategies leverage both government and industry expertise, with significant roles for the Naval Air Warfare Center (China Lake, CA), Northrop Grumman, and other partners.