U.S. will turn AGM-88 HARMs into supersonic airborne targets to replace AQM-37 Typhon drones

U.S. experts saw the AGM-88 anti-radar missiles as a replacement for the AQM-37 drones.

Here's What We Know

The U.S. Navy will buy dozens of supersonic airborne targets developed on the basis of AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile). The AQM-88A SALT (Supersonic Air-Launched Target) high-speed targets will replace the AQM-37 Typhon drones (pictured below).

The U.S. Navy wants about 50 supersonic targets within three years. The service did not provide images, but noted that the design of the AQM-88A SALT will be identical to that of the AGM-88B HARM anti-radar missile.

Development of the original AGM-88A missile began in the late 1960s. The U.S. military wanted a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM). Due to difficulties in development, the AGM-88A did not enter service with the U.S. Navy until 1985. A Block II variant with an improved reprogrammable seeker was introduced in 1986. In 1987, the AGM-88B followed with an even more improved seeker, which was subsequently upgraded with new software to create a Block III level version.

Subsequently, additional variants of the HARM were developed and adopted. The most advanced version now is the AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile), which adds an active millimeter-wave radar seeker. The U.S. Navy is now developing the AGM-88G AARGM-ER (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range), which will have a new form.

The U.S. and other countries have used HARMs in numerous conflicts for almost 40 years. More recently, the missiles gained attention after U.S. experts and the Ukrainian Air Force installed AGM-88 HARMs on Soviet MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters.

For the AQM-88A, the "upgrade" will consist of replacing the AGM-88B warhead with an inert warhead, while the HARM control section will be modified to become the SALT control section. The rocket motor and the HARM guidance section will not be modified.

The AQM-88A will allow the military the flexibility to reproduce different types of air threats. Converting the HARM to SALT is a cheaper option than buying airborne targets. However, the U.S. Navy recognizes that SALTs will not be able to fully replace the AQM-37 Typhon. This is due to the fact that the drone can act as a simulator of air-to-air missiles, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles. Therefore, along with the AQM-88A, the service will use Northrop Grumman's GQM-163 Coyote supersonic naval targets.

Source: The Drive