Cruise Missile
AGM-88 HARM / AARGM-ER
The AGM-88 HARM is the standard US air-launched anti-radiation missile used to suppress enemy air defences, in service since 1985. It travels at Mach 2 or more with a range of about 150 km, and the AARGM-ER is its extended-range successor.
United States|Raytheon & Northrop GrummanOverview
The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile was developed by Texas Instruments, now Raytheon, and entered service in 1985, replacing the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78. It homes passively on radar emissions, flies at Mach 2 or more and carries a 66 kg WDU-3/B warhead. It is 4.14 m long and weighs 355 kg in the AGM-88C. Range is about 150 km depending on profile, against 80 to 100 km for the original. The AGM-88E AARGM, from Northrop Grumman, adds GPS/INS and a millimetre-wave seeker to attack shut-down radars.
The AGM-88G AARGM-ER has a new motor and wings, with more than twice the AARGM range according to Northrop Grumman, and low-rate production started in 2021 to 2023. Initial operational capability was announced around 2025 (hedged). HARM was used over Libya in 1986, in the Gulf War, Kosovo and Iraq. Ukraine received it from the US in 2022 and fires it from MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft. Operators include the US, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Türkiye, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Taiwan. AARGM-ER costs about 1.2 to 1.5 million dollars each (hedged).
Key Specifications
Variants
The AGM-88B/C HARM is the original passive radar-homing missile in service since 1985.
The AGM-88E AARGM adds GPS/INS, a millimetre-wave seeker and a data link to attack shut-down radars.
The AGM-88G AARGM-ER is the extended-range version with a new rocket motor and more than 200 km of reported range.
Operators
United States
Germany
Italy
Spain
Greece
Türkiye
South Korea
Australia
Canada
Saudi Arabia
Taiwan
UkraineFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the AGM-88 HARM?
The AGM-88 HARM has a range of about 150 km depending on the launch profile. The original version reached 80 to 100 km, and the AARGM-ER is reported to exceed 200 km.
What does HARM stand for?
HARM stands for High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile. The AGM-88 homes passively on enemy radar emissions to destroy air defences.
How fast is the AGM-88 HARM?
The AGM-88 HARM flies at Mach 2 or more. It carries a 66 kg WDU-3/B blast-fragmentation warhead.
Is the AGM-88 used in Ukraine?
Yes, Ukraine received the AGM-88 from the US in 2022 and fires it from MiG-29 and Su-27 aircraft using improvised integration.
Which countries use the AGM-88 HARM?
The AGM-88 is used by the US, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Türkiye, South Korea, Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan and Ukraine. Poland and others have ordered the AARGM-ER.
How much does the AARGM-ER cost?
The AARGM-ER costs about 1.2 to 1.5 million US dollars per missile, according to US Navy budget documents. The figure is an estimate and varies by lot.