The US Navy has awarded a full-rate production contract to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) to develop and deliver advanced anti-radiation guided missile (AARGM) operational missiles for its navy and Italy.
Under the $71m contract, the company will also provide training missile systems for the navy, as well as all related supplies and services needed for manufacturing, sparing and fleet deployment.
ATK’s Defense Electronic Systems division vice president and general manager Bill Kasting said: "We remain committed to delivering AARGM’s game-changing capabilities to the fleet and to making it available for use on other US and allied platforms."
An upgraded version of the AGM-88 HARM, AARGM supersonic air-launched tactical missile system is capable of engaging traditional and advanced defence land-and sea-based air-defence threats, as well as non-radar time-sensitive targets.
AARGM features an advanced multi-sensor system, consisting of a millimetre wave terminal seeker, advanced anti-radiation homing receiver and a global positioning system.
The missile system is currently installed on Boeing FA-18C/D Hornet, FA-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft, as well as Italian Air Force Panavia Tornado electronic countermeasures/reconnaissance (ECR) aircraft to help provide multiple strike countermeasures.
The system can also be integrated onboard the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft, Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler aircraft and allied FA-18s as well as General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons used by the US and coalition forces.
ATK-lead team for the AARGM programme consists of MBDA, Cobham, Quinstar Technology, COI Ceramics, HDL Research Labs, Aerospatiale Batteries (ASB), CTS Electronics, Moog, Integrated Magnetics and Sierra Nevada.
Work under the contract will be carried out at the company’s facilities in Woodland Hills, and Ridgecrest, California, US.
Image: An aircraft equipped with AARGM system. Photo: courtesy of Alliant Techsystems Inc.
