The AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) program completed a Milestone C review and received approval for entry into Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), Alliant Techsystems Inc. [ATK] announced.

Sean J. Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition, rendered the decision in an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM).

That signaled the program complied with all milestone criteria, including successful completion of an Operational Assessment (OA) test phase.

Achievement of Milestone C formally signals that the missile system’s maturity is sufficient to commence LRIP.

AARGM, an upgrade to the U.S. Navy AGM-88 HARM system, is a U.S. and Italian international cooperative major acquisition program with the U.S. Navy as executive agent.

Milestone C assessed program acquisition maturity of the weapon system as well as ATK’s readiness for production.

The key test event, an AARGM Operational Assessment (OA), was completed in August culminating in successful missile launches against air defense targets.

With these launches, AARGM has executed eleven live missile firings and numerous captive carry flights against a wide array of targets.

When fielded in 2010, AARGM will be the only extended range tactical supersonic multi-role strike weapon in the U.S. and Italian inventories, according to ATK.

AARGM is a supersonic, air-launched tactical missile that will be integrated on the FA-18C/D, FA-18E/F, EA-18G strike fighters and Tornado ECR aircraft. The missile also is designed for compatibility with the future F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, EA-6B Prowler and F-16 Falcon aircraft.

AARGM’s multi-spectral, multi-sensor system, includes a Millimeter Wave (MMW) radar, an advanced digital Anti-Radiation Homing (ARH) receiver, and a GPS/INS, capable of rapidly engaging traditional and advanced enemy air defense targets as well as non-radar time-sensitive strike targets. The AARGM MMW seeker can operate in concert with the ARH to counter RF shutdown tactics, or in a stand-alone mode to guide to non-emitting time sensitive targets. AARGM is a network-enabled weapon that directly receives tactical intelligence information via an embedded receiver and transmits real-time Weapon Impact Assessment (WIA) reports prior to impact.