Japan air force seeks AARGM-ER for F-35 fleet

This photographs shows a model AARGM-ER fitted into an F-35C weapons bay simulator. (Orbital ATK)

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) has announced plans to procure Northrop Grumman AGM-88G Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) missiles for its Lockheed Martin F-35A/B Lightning II combat aircraft.

The AARGM-ER is designed to suppress and destroy enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD). The JASDF plans to employ the missile against ship-based radars and air-defence systems, General Takehiro Morita, Chief of Staff of the JASDF, said on 1 September. This is Japan's first publicly stated effort to procure a dedicated air-launched anti-radiation missile.

The missile “is an asset that will contribute to the effective execution of anti-ship attacks”, Gen Morita added. He declined to detail how the JASDF would employ the missile in operational scenarios, citing security considerations.

According to Gen Morita, the JASDF has included an itemised request for funding to procure AARGM-ERs in Japan's 2027 fiscal year (FY) budget proposal. An outline of the budget request, published on 31 August, did not disclose the number of all-up rounds (AURs) sought or the proposed procurement cost.

Gen Morita said the missile could be carried by the JASDF's F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) and F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) variants.

Northrop Grumman identifies the AARGM-ER as compatible with external carriage by the F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C and internal carriage by the F-35A and F-35C. The F-35B would therefore carry the missile externally, preventing the aircraft from operating in its maximum-stealth configuration.

Japan plans to acquire 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs, creating a total fleet of 147 aircraft. The JASDF had 46 F-35A and eight F-35B aircraft in March, according to Janes data.