The January test took place at the Point Mugu range in California, where a Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet multirole combat aircraft launched a live missile that struck its intended target. The test validated the missile’s navigation system performance in an environment with strong GPS jamming.
AARGM-ER’s Road to Deployment: @USNavy & Northrop Grumman successfully conducted a live-fire event early January from the #NAWCWD Point Mugu Sea Range, demonstrating the missile’s ability to navigate a challenging flight profile in a GPS-denied environment. #BZ, team! pic.twitter.com/53JFw3iSND
— NAVAIR (@NAVAIRNews) January 27, 2026
The AGM-88G AARGM-ER represents the current generation of guided weapons designed to penetrate advanced air defense systems and is produced and further developed by Northrop Grumman. The program responds to U.S. and allied requirements for effective long-range air defense suppression, using components derived from the earlier AGM-88E to accelerate development.
Integration of the missile with the F-35A Lightning II is expected to expand the user base, and last year Poland approved a government-to-government Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the purchase of more than 200 missiles. The manufacturer is currently producing and delivering the weapon under three low-rate initial production lots while taking steps to increase output in anticipation of expected export orders.
