Air Force
Radom Air Show 2017: AARGM Anti-Radiation Missiles
Fot. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland / Flickr 
Brett Taylor / Defence24.pl
Orbital ATK company was presenting the AARGM anti-radiation missile, during this year’s edition of the Radom Air Show. The weapon is being offered as potential armament for the Polish F-16 C/D Block 52+ fighter aircraft. Currently the aforesaid missiles are being used by the US Armed Forces, they are also to become a part of the inventory of the Italian and German Air Forces soon.
A mock-up of the AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) weapon constituted the central point of the Orbital ATK’s booth. The company is, at the moment, the sole manufacturer of the said missile, developed within the framework of a joint programme pursued by the US Navy and the Italian Air Force. The missiles are being utilized by the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet platforms operated by the US Navy and the US Marines, moreover, steps have been taken to integrate the missile with the Italian Tornados, the AARGM missile is also to be acquired by Germany for the same type of aircraft.
Works are underway to integrate the weapon on other platforms, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. As it was stressed by the representative of the Orbital ATK company, the missile is also tailored to be used by F-15 and F-16 jets.
READ MORE: AARGM-ER - Anti-Radiation Missile for the 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft.
Poland is also willing to join the group of countries that would like to expand and acquire the SEAD capabilities of its air force. The anti-radiation missiles are to be procured for the Polish F-16C/D Block 52+ jets. The Armament Inspectorate of the Polish Ministry of Defence has already carried out a market analysis within the said scope.
AARGM is one of the proposals that is being taken into the account, within the scope of the market analysis. The anti-radiation missiles are perceived as a gap-filler between the long range JASSM stand-off weapon and Paveway II or JDAM PGMs.
Not only can the AARGM missile be guided towards a source of radar signal, as it also features a GPS/INS guidance unit. AARGM-ER version is also being developed, with its range extended which, thanks to redesigned wings, could be carried by 5th generation jets such as the F-35.