US Navy Seeks 600 Advanced Anti-Radar Missiles Annually Amid Iran War Shortage
On July 1, 2026, the U.S. Navy issued a Request for Information for the Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM), doubling its annual production target to 600 units. This surge follows the Iran War and a guided missile shortage, as the existing AGM-88G AARGM-ER faces delays and paused procurement until FY2028. The AESM must integrate with F-35, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft, feature a 15-year service life, and be export-ready. The move aims to diversify suppliers and address urgent operational needs.
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
US Navy Seeks to Boost Production of New Anti-Radar Missile
The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued a Request For Information (RFI) on July 1, 2026, seeking industry input on the ability to supply up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year. This marks a significant increase from a February 2026 Sources Sought notice that anticipated 300 missiles annually, before the Iran War and subsequent guided missile shortage. The RFI calls for a mature design at Technology Readiness Level 6, with an advanced anti-radiation seeker, broad frequency coverage, and compatibility with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft. The Navy's existing AGM-88 HARM has a range of up to 80 miles, while the newer AGM-88G AARGM-ER faces development delays and a procurement pause until FY2028. The U.S. has supplied HARMs to Ukraine, but Ukrainian forces are increasingly replacing them with domestically produced drones.
Military TimesUS Navy Seeks to Boost Production of New Anti-Radar Missile
The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued a Request For Information (RFI) on July 1, 2026, seeking industry capability to supply up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year. This is a significant increase from a February 2026 Sources Sought notice that anticipated 300 missiles annually, reflecting heightened demand following the Iran War and a subsequent guided missile shortage. The RFI calls for a mature design at Technology Readiness Level 6 (functional prototype) with an advanced anti-radiation seeker, broad frequency coverage, and compatibility with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft (internal and external carriage). The missile must have a 15-year service life and over 500 captive carriage flight hours. Notably, the RFI omits earlier requirements for air-to-air capability and longer range than existing inventory. This comes as the Navy has paused procurement of the AGM-88G AARGM-ER due to development delays, and as Ukraine shifts from using AGM-88 HARMs to domestically produced drones against Russian air defenses.
Defense NewsUS Navy seeks to boost production of new anti-radar missile
The US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) has issued a new Request For Information (RFI) seeking up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year, doubling the demand from a February 2026 Sources Sought notice that asked for up to 300 per year. The RFI, posted on July 1, asks for a mature design at technology readiness stage 6 and emphasizes extended range, advanced targeting, counter-countermeasures, and integration with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft. Unlike the earlier Sources Sought, the RFI drops requirements for air-to-air capability and explicit longer range than current inventory. This request comes amid a guided missile shortage, delays in the AGM-88G AARGM-ER program, and reports of Ukrainian forces replacing US-supplied AGM-88 HARMs with domestic drones due to limited numbers.
Military TimesUS Navy Seeks to Boost Production of New Anti-Radar Missile to 600 Per Year
The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) posted a new Request For Information (RFI) on July 1, 2026, asking industry about the capability to supply up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year. This represents a significant increase from a February 2026 Sources Sought notice that indicated demand of up to 300 units per year. The RFI, published amid a guided missile shortage following the Iran War, seeks a mature design at Technology Readiness Level 6 (fully functional prototype). The AESM must feature an advanced anti-radiation seeker, compatibility with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft, minimal maintenance, a 15-year service life, and over 500 captive carriage flight hours. The notice notably omits earlier requirements for air-to-air capability and longer range than existing inventory. This comes as the Navy has paused procurement of the AGM-88G AARGM-ER due to development delays and software problems, with limited procurement expected to resume in FY2028.
Defense NewsUS Navy seeks to boost production of new anti-radar missile
The US Navy is significantly increasing its demand for next-generation anti-radar missiles. A Naval Air Systems Command Request For Information posted on July 1, 2026, asks industry if it can supply up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year. This is double the 300 missiles per year sought in a February 2026 notice, reflecting growing demand amid the Iran War and a broader guided missile shortage. The RFI calls for a mature design at technology readiness level 6 (fully functional prototype). The AESM must feature an advanced anti-radiation seeker with broad frequency coverage, compatibility with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft (internal and external), minimal maintenance, a 15-year service life, and 500+ captive carriage flight hours. Unlike the earlier Sources Sought, the RFI omits requirements for air-to-air capability and longer range than existing missiles. The Navy's current HARM has an 80-mile range, and the newer AARGM-ER is facing development delays and paused procurement until FY2028.
C4ISRNetUS Navy seeks to boost production of new anti-radar missile
The US Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) issued a Request For Information (RFI) on July 1, 2026, asking industry if it can supply up to 600 Advanced Emission Suppression Missiles (AESM) per year. This marks a significant increase from a February 2026 Sources Sought notice that anticipated demand of up to 300 missiles per year, before the Iran War and subsequent guided missile shortage. The RFI seeks a mature design at Technology Readiness Level 6 (fully functional prototype) with an advanced anti-radiation seeker, broad frequency coverage, and compatibility with F/A-18 E/F, EA-18G, and F-35 aircraft (internal and external carriage). The missile must have a 15-year service life and over 500 captive carriage flight hours. Notably, the RFI omits earlier requirements for air-to-air capability and longer range than existing inventory. The Navy's current anti-radar missile, the AGM-88 HARM, has a range of up to 80 miles, while the extended-range AGM-88G AARGM-ER faces development delays and a procurement pause until FY2028. The US has supplied HARMs to Ukraine, but Ukraine is replacing them with domestically produced drones due to limited numbers.
C4ISRNetU.S. Navy seeks alternative radar-hunting missile supplier with 600-unit annual production target
The U.S. Navy's Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) published a Request for Information on July 1, 2026, seeking companies capable of producing an alternative to the AGM-88G AARGM-ER anti-radiation missile, currently built by Northrop Grumman. The new program, called the Advanced Emission Suppression Missile (AESM), aims for production capacity of up to 600 missiles per year, doubling an earlier goal from February 2026. The missile must integrate with F-35, F/A-18E/F, and EA-18G aircraft, comply with MIL-STD-1760 and Universal Armament Interface standards, and use a Modular Open Systems Approach. Technical requirements include a 15-year service life and ability to survive over 500 hours of captive carriage. The Navy also mandates export-ready design from the start. The move reflects a desire for competition and backup options as the AARGM-ER program has faced delays, with initial operational capability now expected in late 2026, about two years behind schedule. Capability statements are due July 31, 2026.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense News