Northrop Grumman tested the latest AARGM anti-radar missile
Northrop Grumman engineers successfully tested the AARGM-ER anti-radar missile with an increased flight range for the fourth time. This became known from a representative of the defense giant.
The US Navy used an F/A-18 aircraft to launch the missile. During the tests, a moving sea target was destroyed with the help of a missile. The tests themselves took place at Point Mugu at the end of November, but the information about this was made public by the North American defense giant only now.
The purpose of the tests was to check the missile’s ability to hit moving sea targets. According to Captain Alex Dudko, the tests at Point Moog showed that the AARGM-ER is suitable for engaging targets moving at sea. It will enable the US Navy to keep the sea lanes under control.
In addition to the F/A-18, the F-35 and EA-18G Gowler aircraft can be used to launch AARGM-ER missiles. They are designed to destroy air defense and anti-missile defense systems, ship and ground anti-aircraft missiles, as well as anti-satellite systems. The AARGM missile was created by Northrop Grumman engineers through a deep redesign of the AGM-88E missile.
The AGM-88G is guided to the target using GPS, an inertial system and a WGU-48/B radar head. The missile is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead WAU-7/B weighing 70 kg. It contains 12,800 impressive tungsten elements. Within a radius of six meters from the detonation of the combat unit, tungsten balls easily penetrate 6.35 mm armor plates and 12.7 mm metal sheets.
