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U.S. Navy seeks AESM — a longer‑range air‑launched anti‑radiation missile for F/A‑18, EA‑18G and F‑35

The U.S. Navy has solicited a longer‑range air‑launched anti‑radiation missile (AESM) designed to out‑range the AARGM‑ER and defeat modern radar systems, with integration planned for F/A‑18E/F, EA‑18G and F‑35 platforms. Officials seek production in the hundreds per year and aim for a two‑year deployment timeline.

Discovered 2026-02-19T07:34:01.224720-08:00 | 2026-02-19T07:34:01.224720-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Fields a near‑term, higher‑volume suppression capability: the Navy is pursuing production rates in the hundreds per year and a two‑year deployment timeline, materially changing SEAD/DEAD planning and sortie-level ordnance availability. See recent use of long‑range standoff weapons [source:02a4e47e-41df-4fce-bcf9-f8306e244bbe]

  • Integrates with legacy and modern strike/electronic‑attack fleets, tying directly to ongoing F/A‑18 service‑life and EW modernization efforts and to current Growler deployments that shape spectrum‑dominance tactics [source:03964edc-47f6-47bc-9b29-c96e059ea795] [source:b7bcd7ec-768f-4870-aeab-ec435cd07dda]

Reported By

opex360.com tecnodefesa.com.br The Aviationist onalert.gr FlightGlobal news.defcros.com
Sources Tracked
10
First Seen
2026-02-19T07:34:01.224720-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-21T06:31:12.780935-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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