Northrop Grumman displayed its new idea of a supersonic ASuW missile for submarines during Combined Naval Event 2025 alongside the powered launch capsule.

Naval News reported that the submarine-launched AARGM-ER has made its debut alongside the Stealthy Affordable Capsule System (SACS), which is a modular powered launch capsule to launch different missiles.

The submarine-launched version proposal for AARGM-ER (Also called AGM-88G) includes a booster to bring the range close to aircraft launch levels.

Supersonic Option for U.S. Submarines

What makes anti-surface warfare possible for AARGM-ER is the guidance system that includes an active mmW radar seeker in addition to passive sensors. Thus, passive sensors can tell where the ship is while the mmW radar seeker can keep track of the enemy ship more precisely.

The current portfolio of the U.S. submarines’ ASuW missiles include UGM-84 Sub-Harpoon anti-ship missiles and alternatively the larger BGM-109 Tomahawk Block V cruise missiles both of which are subsonic. Among them, AARGM-ER could be placed as a rapid strike option thanks to its high speed.

SACS Powered Capsule for AARGM-ER

As interesting as the submarine-launched AARGM-ER idea is the SACS launch capsule to carry it. SACS is being developed for vertical launch systems of the U.S. submarines, which are currently used for BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles. Beyond missiles, this payload capsule is also proposed as a carrier for UAVs to perform ISR missions for submarines or UUVs.

Being fitted with propellers, SACS can loiter for a time before launching the payload, which can be translated to an element of surprise and flexibility in mission planning.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi