Northrop Test Fires Missile Off Ventura County Coast

Northrop Grumman Corp. completed the first live fire of its advanced anti-radiation guided missile system, the company announced Monday.The test was conducted July 19 at the Point Mugu Sea Range off the coast of Ventura County from a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, the Falls Church, Va.-based defense and aerospace firm said in a news release.The Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile Extended Range missile system is produced at Northrop’s facility in Northridge.The missile is a supersonic, air-launched weapon that can rapidly engage traditional and advanced land- and sea-based threats. It hones in on enemy radar systems for guided missiles and similar targets.Capt. A.C. “Count” Dutko, the Navy’s program manager for direct time sensitive strike, said that the missile met the key objectives of a first live-fire test.“The government and industry team had great focus and was able to conduct this test event three months earlier than originally envisioned,” Dutko said in a statement.