Northrop Subsidiary to Deliver Anti-Radiation Missiles to Australia

The US Naval Air Systems Command has awarded Northrop subsidiary Alliant Techsystems Operations a $35.59 million contract modification to deliver the AGM-88E2 Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) to Australia.

The full-rate production contract includes AGM-88E2 tactical missiles, AGM-88E Captive Air Training Missiles, and guidance and control sections for the AARGM.

It also includes High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) rocket motors, HARM warheads, HARM control sections, and M-Code Global Positioning System receivers.

Work is expected to be completed in March 2025.

The US State Department approved the sale of up to 15 AGM-88E2s to Canberra in June to counter current and future threats.

The AARGM is an upgrade on the AGM-88 HARM capable of "countering fixed and relocatable radar and communication sites, particularly those that shut down in order to counter anti-radiation missiles."

The missile will help the Australian military suppress and destroy “land- or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defenses” during tactical missions, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency wrote in a press statement.