U.S. Navy Seeking Anti-Radiation Missile Which Can Also Kill Airborne Radars

Key Takeaways

• Navy seeks missile over 80 nm range, dual air/ground capability
• Compatible with Super Hornet, Growler, and F‑35C fighters
• Advanced seeker covers broad radar bands, includes ECCM
• Requires TRL 7+, indicating prototype already flight‑tested
• Single missile improves flexibility, reduces separate weapon loads

Summary

NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice for an Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) that would exceed the range of the current AGM‑88G and add the ability to engage both air‑to‑air and air‑to‑ground targets. The missile must integrate with the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, EA‑18G Growler and F‑35C, feature a broadband anti‑radiation seeker, GPS/INS guidance and robust ECCM, and meet a TRL 7+ maturity level. This effort reflects the Navy’s push for longer‑range, flexible SEAD/DEAD weapons to counter peer A2/AD environments. The requirement aims to replace separate SEAD and air‑to‑air missiles with a single, versatile system.

Pulse Analysis

The Navy’s SEAD/DEAD mission has become a linchpin in any high‑end conflict against peer competitors. Modern A2/AD architectures layer dense ground‑based radars, surface‑to‑air missiles and airborne early‑warning platforms, forcing strike aircraft to operate at the edge of survivable ranges. The legacy AGM‑88E and its extended‑range variant AGM‑88G, while proven, are limited to air‑to‑ground engagements and reach roughly 80 nautical miles. As adversaries field longer‑range air‑defense networks, the service needs a weapon that can strike those emitters from deeper standoff distances, preserving aircraft safety and mission tempo.

The Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM) concept blends that standoff reach with a dual‑role capability. By integrating a broadband anti‑radiation seeker, GPS/INS navigation and hardened ECCM, the missile could lock onto both ground‑based radar sites and high‑value AEW&C aircraft. Compatibility with the F/A‑18E/F Super Hornet, EA‑18G Growler and F‑35C ensures fleet‑wide deployment without extensive airframe modifications. Industry observers note that the AIM‑174B, derived from the SM‑6, already demonstrates 200‑nm ship‑based range and could be adapted for fighter launch, providing a viable baseline for the Navy’s requirements.

Because NAVAIR has issued a Sources Sought notice rather than a formal RFP, the market is open to established missile manufacturers and emerging innovators alike. A TRL 7 threshold pushes vendors to present flight‑tested prototypes, accelerating the development timeline. Successful entry could reshape the SEAD procurement landscape, consolidating two weapon classes into a single system and lowering logistics footprints. Contractors that can deliver the required seeker performance and integration will likely secure follow‑on contracts for future unmanned platforms, reinforcing the United States’ ability to neutralize sophisticated air‑defense networks in contested theaters.