The US Navy conducted the first combat test of the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) supersonic anti-radar missile, designed to destroy enemy missile defense systems, the American edition of The Drive reports.
The publication notes that during the tests, the missile, previously called the killer of the Russian S-400 Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems, " achieved all the goals set for this test." The publication notes that the AGM-88G AARGM-ER was launched on July 19, 2021 from an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft off the Pacific coast of the Point Mugu sea range.
According to Captain Alex Dutko, the test that took place is "an important step towards providing the fleet with the most modern weapons system to combat developing surface-to-air threats." It is noted that the tests carried out allowed us to confirm the correctness of the design solutions used in the creation of the rocket. The company Northrop Grumman, responsible for the development of this weapon, said that the tests of the AGM-88G AARGM-ER are three months ahead of schedule.
In May, the US Navy tested this missile for the first time. During the tests, the F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter carried the AGM-88G AARGM-ER prototype. For the first time, the rocket that rose into the air did not launch. The purpose of the tests is to check the joint operation of the aircraft and rocket systems.
AGM-88G AARGM-ER has been created since 2015. It is planned to adopt it in 2023. The rocket is equipped with a homing head with inertial and global (from satellites) navigation systems, as well as an infrared sensor. The weapon differs from the current AGM-88E High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) in its compact body, long range and speed, as well as new engine, warhead and control elements.
Ivan Potapov