U.S Navy Completes F/A-18 AARGM-ER Flight with Separation Test Vehicle

The flight demonstrated the Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile – Extended Range weapon could communicate with the F/A-18. The Separation Test Vehicle used hardware and software to facilitate the controlled free flight By DA Staff / 10 May 2021

Discover Leading Defense Technology Solutions

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow DA

The U.S. Navy completed an AARGM-ER captive carry flight on an F/A-18 Super Hornet on April 22 at Patuxent River in support of the first live fire event this spring.

This flight marked the first time the AARGM-ER weapon demonstrated it could communicate with the F/A-18 E/F aircraft.  The Separation Test Vehicle (STV) used its hardware and software to facilitate the controlled free flight. 

“Data collected from this testing will support expansion of flight testing with AARGM-ER to the full performance envelope of F/A-18 Super Hornet”, said Captain Mitch Commerford, program manager for Direct and Time Sensitive Strike program office (PMA-242).  “This flight represents a significant step in the AARGM-ER engineering and manufacturing development phase.”

During the test, the F/A-18 Super Hornet conducted a series of aerial maneuvers in order to evaluate compatibility of the AARGM-ER with the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The test points completed during this flight test event substantiated F/A-18 carriage compatibility.

AARGM-ER is being integrated on the F/A-18E/F and EA-18G, and will be compatible for integration of the F-35.  By leveraging the U.S. Navy’s AARGM program that’s in Full Rate Production, the AARGM-ER with a new rocket motor and warhead will provide advanced capability to detect and engage enemy air defense systems.

Posted by DA Staff Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Latest USV Platform Enables Versatile Operations in Contested Waters

SubSea Craft’s MARS is a rapidly developed, modular uncrewed surface vessel built to enhance maritime operations with scalable, multi-mission capability and autonomous deployment

May 20, 2025
New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Rugged Military Computing Solutions Being Showcased at AFCEA 2025

Getac's latest rugged military computing technologies will be presented at AFCEA 2025, highlighting the company's technical solutions across military use-cases

May 19, 2025
Triad RF: Advancing Radio Testing with T006 & ARTS Automation

Triad RF’s T006 Rack and ARTS automate high-power radio testing, delivering faster, more consistent validation with improved isolation and performance validated through flight testing for mission-critical applications

May 19, 2025
Swedish Army Advances C2 Digitization with MilDef Technology

MilDef has been commissioned by FMV to deliver IT equipment that supports the Swedish Army’s digitization and enhanced command-and-control (C2) capabilities

May 19, 2025
Meltio’s Metal 3D Printing Technology Introduced in Mexico

Meltio’s wire-laser metal 3D printing technology has been introduced in Mexico through a strategic alliance with Sitres Latam, Alar, and Tecnológico de Monterrey, with applications spanning industry, education, and research

May 16, 2025

Featured Content

New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Discover ANELLO’s SiPhOG™ for GNSS-Denied Navigation at XPO25

CEO of ANELLO Photonics, Dr. Mario Paniccia, will present at Xponential 2025 on the company's SiPhOG-based inertial navigation technology in GPS-denied and GNSS-contested environments.

May 09, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.