German Tornado Fires AARGM During Low-Level Test Flight Over California Desert.
On Apr. 3, 2025, aviation photographers Jarod Hamilton and Ian Recchio captured a rare moment near the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, California, when a German Air Force Tornado fired an AGM-88E AARGM (Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile) over the Mojave Desert.
The two Tornado aircraft, flying low-level in close formation, were spotted just outside the restricted military airspace, about 3 miles from the observers’ location. In the photos provided to The Aviationist, a missile is clearly seen leaving the inboard pylon of one of the Tornado ECR, with a distinct smoke trail following its initial motor ignition.
Probably the coolest thing I’ve been able to photograph- German Tornados launching missile during their recent live-fire campaign at China Lake 🇩🇪🌪️🚀 pic.twitter.com/fInLbpMObV
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) April 28, 2025
“We were not given any details on the specific missile or its intended use, but it was very interesting to watch!” Ian Recchio told The Aviationist via email.
While the precise nature of the test remains undisclosed, according to our sources Recchio and Hamilton were invited to witness the first launch of the AARGM during the deployment of the Tactical Air Wing 51 from Schleswig-Jagel air base, in Germany.
Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 51 “Immelmann” is the only unit within the German Air Force that conducts both manned (Tornado) and unmanned airborne reconnaissance (with the IAI Heron unmmaned aerial system), signals intelligence, and electronic surveillance missions. On Apr. 1, 2013, the Wing assumed the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) role from the disbanded Jagdbombergeschwader 32, previously based at Lechfeld. Operating the Tornado IDS and ECR, the Wing plays a key role in the Bundeswehr’s operational structure. Since January 1, 2005, it has also carried out naval air warfare missions.
As part of their testing campaign, the German Tornados conducted live firing activities with AARMs (Advanced Anti Radiation Missiles) as well as some low level flying.
#Tornado #51Tigers pic.twitter.com/152zE0gfkB
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) April 1, 2025
The AGM-88E AARGM, an advanced version of the legacy AGM-88 HARM. Developed by Northrop Grumman for the U.S. Navy and allied users, the AARGM incorporates an improved guidance system with GPS/INS, an active millimeter wave radar seeker, and a passive anti-radiation homing sensor. The result is a highly versatile weapon capable of engaging both known and emitting radar threats — even those attempting shutdown tactics to evade traditional HARMs.
it’s an AARGM 🤙 pic.twitter.com/7JVRozmMEs
— jmh.creates (@JarodMHamilton) April 28, 2025
Germany is one of the few international operators of the AARGM, fielding the missile as part of its continued efforts to modernize the SEAD/DEAD (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses) capabilities of its Tornado fleet, even as the type nears retirement later this decade.
As explained, the live firing was carried out within the ranges of the China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, a known hub for advanced weapons testing and evaluation therefore the event likely represented part of test campaign or a certification trial similar to the one carried out by the Italian Air Force in 2018, when the Tornado ECR aircraft of the 155° Gruppo (Squadron) of the Aeronautica Militare deployed to California for “Blazing Shield”, the Operational Test & Evaluation (OT&E) of the ECRs with the AGM-88E AARGM.
Anyway, the sight of a live firing of an AGM-88E AARGM from a Luftwaffe Tornado is exceptionally rare and offers a unique glimpse into the integration and operational testing of an anti-radiation missile by a NATO partner within U.S. test range infrastructure.
The German Tornados have now completed their deployment and are returning back to Germany.
@Team_Luftwaffe really appreciate the low approaches before landing. That special markings tail is sweet!#GAF #KPSM pic.twitter.com/4ZlkN4qro5
— Dave O’Brien (@DaveOTGphotog) April 29, 2025
Guess this will be their last time coming to the states 😥 pic.twitter.com/bY1VCRHzVs
— Dave O’Brien (@DaveOTGphotog) April 30, 2025
