September 6, 2000

Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, PEO (W)

The Navy's premiere defense suppression weapon, the High Speed Antiradiation Guided Missile (HARM) is in the process of a major capability upgrade with the incorporation of Block IIIA software for the AGM-88B, and Block V software for the AGM-88C missile variants. Performance enhancements include greater geographical accuracy and improved reliability. This will provide Air Force and Navy warfighters with the most upgraded capability for lethal suppression of enemy air defenses worldwide.

Approved in April for fleet incorporation, two teams have been working to perform the required modification. The teams include Navy personnel stationed in Guam at the Naval Airborne Weapons Maintenance Unit (NAWMU-1) as well as Government Contractor Support Services (CSS) personnel from Dynamic Systems Inc. (DSI).

Along with the HARM software upgrades, there is an opportunity for a full function electronic test of the missile utilizing newly developed reprogramming and testing equipment. The teams have jointly completed approximately 1/3 of the entire missile inventory to date.

In late July of this year, the USS George Washington (CVN 73), a deployed aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf requested assistance from Naval Air Systems Command to add this capability while deployed. This represented several unique challenges, such as performing a complex operation during flight operations in an active military theatre. Subsequently, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) also requested the same capability prior to deploying from the West Coast. Capt. Christopher Powers, HARM Program Manager, commissioned a team led by Bill Stone, HARM asst. program manager for Logistics) and senior personnel from both the NAWMU-1 and the DSI HARM Teams to perform this mission. According to Powers, "this represented an opportunity to demonstrate the feasibility of our development and planning, but more importantly, an opportunity to serve the warfighter directly."

Scarcely one week after the initial request, key team members traveled abroad to meet counterparts in the Middle East. Mission objectives were accomplished with an improved HARM weapon capability residing where it can be best utilized when called upon.

When asked about his experience, team leader Bill Stone said, "the general population would be absolutely amazed at the amount, and the intense activity our Navy personnel do aboard ship everyday. They do so with immense pride, professionalism, and a dedication to duty unmatched by any corporation worldwide. I'm proud to be associated in a small part with our Navy's role in defense."

The HARM (Defense Suppression Systems) program office reports to the Program Executive Officer, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)), located at Patuxent River, Md. For more information about PEO (W) log on to: http://www.strikenet.js.mil.