Not everyone working in defense describes their role like that of an orchestra director.
Smarter Strikes
Defeating Tomorrow’s Threats with Next-Gen Strike Power
By Crystal Nguyen
Strike first, before the enemy even detects you.
That’s the capability Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range (AARGM-ER) delivers to the U.S. Navy.
“When flying in contested airspace, you want to destroy the threat before the threat detects you,” said Brad Russell, a former Naval Aviator, now a Northrop Grumman business development director.
AARGM-ER’s mission is the “Suppression or Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses,” or “SEAD/DEAD.” The goal is to make the skies safer for U.S. and allied pilots by disabling enemy defenses, like integrated air defense systems (IADS), radars, and anti-aircraft missile systems.
Brad logged more than 4,000 hours in the cockpits of EA-6B Prowlers, F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, and EA-18G Growlers during his Navy career, earning the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross among other honors. Having flown over 100 combat missions, Brad knows the mission well and why AARGM-ER matters.
“AARGM-ER brings more to the fight for our aircrews, enabling them to strike enemy IADS from a safe place with extended range, speed and survivability,” he said.
Neutralizing the Threat Before it Strikes
Our adversaries are investing in highly mobile and networked IADS, making more traditional strike approaches less effective.
“Operating in the 21st century threat environment, the U.S. and our partners have many high-end strike weapons, but often they lack the advanced capabilities needed to actually reach and destroy the target,” Brad said. “In order to control an adversary’s airspace, you need to neutralize or destroy the IADS.”
AARGM-ER was designed to do just this.
The missile can be launched from beyond the reach of the enemy, precisely homing in on enemy radars, missile launchers and command centers to quickly disable their systems and disrupt their ability to coordinate attacks.
The Evolution in Strike Capability
Northrop Grumman’s experience developing and fielding more than 1,600 original AARGM missiles gives its AARGM-ER team a unique understanding of what warfighters need to defeat radar-based threats. But AARGM-ER is not simply an update of the original’s venerable design.
The next-generation missile features a new extended range, survivable air vehicle with upgraded propulsion, an optimized warhead and other advanced technology. Northop Grumman specializes in the development of missiles from “tip to tail” – the ability to integrate all complex components of a missile including the seeker, warhead, propulsion and guidance sections into an all up round, ensuring faster development and delivery while improving overall performance and reliability for customers.
State and local officials joined Northrop Grumman leaders in cutting the ribbon at the opening of the Missile Integration Facility at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory.
Redefining Missile Production
To deliver AARGM-ERs faster and more cost-effectively, Northrop Grumman recently opened its Missile Integration Facility (MIF) at the Navy's Allegany Ballistics Laboratory (ABL) in Rocket Center, West Virginia. The MIF is the new home of the AARGM-ER production line.
Rocket motor production, warhead production, final assembly, integration, and testing will be efficiently handled at ABL using advanced manufacturing processes and equipment.
The new facility highlights our team’s commitment to quality, precision and excellence in the manufacturing of missile systems. By integrating advanced technologies and maintaining robust testing and quality assurance protocols, the facility ensures the delivery of missile solutions that meet the dynamic needs of modern defense operations.
“We’re innovating with urgency, not just to meet today’s requirements, but to scale production and deliver at the pace the mission demands,” said Chuck Johnson, vice president, advanced weapons. “Our focus is on staying ahead of the threat and ensuring our customers have the capabilities they need, now and in the future.”
Learn more about how Northrop Grumman is shaping the future of next-generation strike missile technology.
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