Navy Still Pushing To Field New AARGM-ER Radar-Busting Missile This Year Despite “Strategic Pause”
Summary
The U.S. Navy continues to pursue Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) by September 2026, even as the service announced a "strategic pause" in missile procurement for Fiscal Year 2027. The pause was driven by ongoing testing failures and technical deficiencies, including rocket motor, structural, and software problems, with only one of three integrated test weapon employment events successfully completed in FY2025. Rather than purchasing additional missiles in FY2027, the Navy plans to allocate that year's production exclusively to fulfilling Foreign Military Sales commitments to five international partners, including Italy, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, and Norway. Once testing milestones are satisfied, the Navy intends to resume U.S. procurement in FY2028 and ramp up production to address a backlog of over 150 missiles. Despite these challenges, the AARGM-ER remains a critical capability for Navy carrier air wings, particularly for enhancing the survivability of non-stealthy platforms like the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler against advanced enemy air defense systems.
Key Takeaways
- 1. The Navy's FY2027 budget includes no funding for new AARGM-ER purchases due to a strategic pause, with U.S. procurement expected to resume in FY2028
- 2. Significant technical setbacks, including rocket motor, structural, and software failures, have delayed the program's IOC from an original 2023 target to potentially late 2026 or early 2027
- 3. FY2027 missile production will be redirected entirely to fulfill international sales commitments to five allied nations, highlighting strong foreign partner interest in the system
- 4. The GAO criticized the Navy's decision to begin production before fully demonstrating system reliability, warning this approach increases the risk of costly rework
- 5. The AARGM-ER is designed for integration across multiple platforms, including F/A-18E/F, EA-18G, and all F-35 variants, making it a broadly strategic anti-radiation weapon for both U.S. and allied forces