US Navy Wants to Double Anti-Radar Missile Output to 600 a Year
The US Navy wants to sharply increase production of the radar-hunting anti-radiation missiles used to suppress enemy air defenses. According to a request for information (RFI) posted on 1 to 2 July 2026, the Navy is targeting annual output of 600 missiles, up from 300.
Which missiles are involved
Three systems stand out in the Navy’s inventory. The 1980s-era AGM-88 HARM has a range of about 130 kilometres. Its longer-range successor, the AGM-88G AARGM-ER, has faced development delays. In addition, an entirely new system called AESM (Advanced Emission Suppression Missile) is under development. A February 2026 notice projected 300 missiles a year; the July RFI doubled that demand.
Technical expectations
The Navy is seeking a mature design at Technology Readiness Level 6. Requirements include an advanced anti-radiation seeker with broad frequency coverage, the ability to target modern radars, compatibility with the F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G and F-35, internal and external carriage on the F-35, a minimum 15-year service life and more than 500 captive-carriage flight hours.
Why now
The Navy says it wants to strengthen its ability to suppress and neutralise enemy air defenses in contested environments. The push follows guided-missile shortages during the Iran War. The suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses (SEAD/DEAD) is decisive in the opening hours of high-technology conflicts, and stockpile depth for anti-radiation missiles directly shapes the sustainability of a prolonged campaign.
The AARGM-ER is built by Northrop Grumman. Doubling production signals that the industrial base is being rescaled to match the tempo of real conflict rather than peacetime assumptions.
Sources: Defense News, US Navy request for information (RFI).
