The U.S. State Department has approved a potential £332 million ($405 million) foreign military sale to Australia for Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) and related equipment.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency formally notified Congress of the possible sale on 27 September 2024.
According to the official notice, Australia has requested to purchase “up to one hundred (100) Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) with global positioning system (GPS) precise positioning system (PPS)” supported by either the “Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or M-Code.”
The sale also includes “up to twenty-four (24) AGM-88G AARGM-ER guidance sections (spares)” and “up to twenty-four (24) AGM-88G AARGM-ER control sections (spares).” Additionally, the package will cover missile containers, spare parts, training, software (both classified and unclassified), and engineering support.
The U.S. government highlighted that the sale “will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States.” As one of America’s most important allies in the Western Pacific, Australia’s strategic location is essential for “ensuring peace and economic stability” in the region.
The proposed sale “will improve the Government of Australia’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing the capability to suppress and destroy land or sea-based radar emitters associated with enemy air defences,” thus enhancing the survivability of its tactical aircraft.
The notice also reassured that the sale “will not alter the basic military balance in the region,” and that Australia “will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.” The principal contractor for the sale will be Northrop Grumman Systems, based in Falls Church, Virginia. Furthermore, the transaction will not affect U.S. defence readiness, with only a small team of “approximately four U.S. Government and one contractor representative” required to travel to Australia temporarily for programme oversight.
The final cost of the sale may be lower than the estimated £332 million, depending on “final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s).”
The Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) is specifically designed for the Suppression and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). Its primary targets include relocatable Integrated Air Defense (IAD) systems and radar sites that employ shutdown tactics to evade detection.
One of its key features is the use of a multi-mode seeker, which allows the missile to track and engage targets even when they attempt to shut down their systems. This makes the AARGM-ER a critical asset for disrupting enemy air defences and ensuring the survivability of allied aircraft in contested environments.
Building on the capabilities of the earlier AGM-88E AARGM, the Extended Range version incorporates significant hardware and software upgrades to enhance its range, survivability, and effectiveness against emerging threats.
Is the UK going to use a variant of Spear 3 for this task?
Look at it another way. An anti radiation missile takes out an emitter that it can passively detect? There is nothing stopping the radiation detection being done from another platform and the coordinates fed back to the missile. So it follows that anything precise that can take mid course corrections can do the job. OK with a caveat that they need to be able to zero in on the key bits of the setup [command and control unit – perhaps?] rather than that radar itself…so that required optical recognition if some kind on the seeker. So there are other ways… Read more »
“there is nothing stopping”
There certainly is, an entire theater of the battlespace – electronic warfare. Anything using a datalink can be jammed. We’re seeing that in Ukraine.
Everyday is a schoolday. Thx 😊
This is Spear-3’s primary role, which is why it is on the weapons integration list for the F35. For suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) or destruction of enemy air defences (DEAD), there is nothing comparable to what the F35 brings to the party. Which is why the standard Spear-3 will be such a highly effective weapon when teamed with the F35. The F35 has the sensors built-in to detect and categorize RF threats. The aircraft’s very low radar cross section along with holding weapons in the two bays, allows it to operate much closer to air defence systems. Doing… Read more »
Wow! Star Wars stuff. Thx
Interesting post Davey B, thanks Mate
“Which is why the standard Spear-3 will be such a highly effective weapon when teamed with the F35.”
Isn’t that the million dollar question though – exactly when that will be.
Hasn’t that date has been extended and extended due to hardware upgrades, engine upgrades and most importantly block 4 – I’m not even sure when thats supposed to be now tbh?
The Aussies seem to be getting some decent kit over the last few years- couple that with the AUKUS stuff and their forces appear to be developing some credibility.