US approves a possible $69 mn FMS to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles

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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Australia
 
 
 
US approves a possible $69 mn FMS to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $69 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced today June 22, 2015. The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defense Electronics Systems in Northridge, California.
     
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Australia for AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $69 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced today June 22, 2015. The principal contractor will be Orbital ATK Defense Electronics Systems in Northridge, California. The AGM-88 (R) is a supersonic air-to-surface tactical missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar-equipped air defense systems
     
The Government of Australia has requested possible sale of up to fourteen AGM-88B High Speed Anti-Radiation Missiles (HARM) Tactical Missiles, sixteen (16) AGM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) Tactical Missiles, four CATM-88B Captive Air Training Missiles, eight CATM-88E Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missiles (AARGM) Captive Air Training Missiles, six AARGM Guidance Sections, five AARGM Control Sections, and two AARGM Tactical Telemetry Missiles (for live fire testing), containers, spares and repair parts, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $69 million.

"Australia is an important ally and partner that contributes significantly to peacekeeping and humanitarian operations around the world. It is vital to the U.S. national interest to assist our ally in developing and maintaining a strong and ready self-defense capability," said the DSCA.

"The proposed sale will improve Australia’s capability in current and future coalition efforts. Australia will use this capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense," added the DSCA.

The AGM-88 HARM (high-speed antiradiation missile) is a supersonic air-to-surface tactical missile designed to seek and destroy enemy radar-equipped air defense systems. The AGM-88 can detect, attack and destroy a target with minimum aircrew input. Guidance is provided through reception of signals emitted from a ground-based threat radar. It has the capability of discriminating a single target from a number of emitters in the environment. The proportional guidance system that homes in on enemy radar emissions has a fixed antenna and seeker head in the missile nose. A smokeless, solid-propellant, dual-thrust rocket motor propels the missile.