Rare SLAM-ER Missile Loadout Spotted on Super Hornet During Yemen Mission

New images have surfaced showing a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet equipped with the uncommon AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack MissileExpanded Response, or SLAM-ER. Although the pictures were only recently released, they were taken earlier this year and highlight the variety of munitions employed during strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. The aircraft was operating from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during a particularly active deployment.

The images, shared last week by the U.S. Department of Defense, date back to April 8, 2025, and were captured during a mid-air refueling by a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over the Red Sea within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area.

The Super Hornet, from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, carried SLAM-ER missiles on its inner wing pylons, AIM-9X Sidewinders on the wingtips, and a 480-gallon centerline fuel tank. It also had an AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR targeting pod on the right shoulder station, with the possibility of an AIM-120 AMRAAM mounted on the left shoulder. The presence of SLAM-ER missiles is particularly notable, as they are rarely seen in operational use on F/A-18E/Fs.

The SLAM-ER is derived from the Harpoon anti-ship missile and can strike both land and sea targets with high precision over a range of roughly 170 miles at high subsonic speeds. Its guidance combines GPS and infrared imaging, and it can engage moving or stationary targets. A unique feature is its man-in-the-loop capability, allowing pilots to steer the missile in real time via a two-way datalink, offering flexibility in retargeting and engaging fleeting targets like missile or drone units.

International users of the SLAM-ER include Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, and the UAE. During its eight-month deployment, USS Harry S. Truman returned to Norfolk, Virginia, after conducting extensive operations against Houthi forces, who had targeted merchant vessels and warships in the Red Sea.

Super Hornets were also observed with various other munitions, including AGM-154 JSOW and JDAM bombs. A notable configuration nicknamed "Murder Hornet" featured five AIM-120s and four AIM-9Xs. The carriers EA-18G Growlers carried heavy anti-radiation missiles and expanded air-to-air capabilities, including use of AGM-88E AARGMs against Houthi helicopters.

While newer systems like the AGM-158C LRASM are being fielded, SLAM-ER remains a critical weapon for precise, flexible strikes. Its man-in-the-loop guidance continues to offer capabilities unmatched by newer missiles in the Navys inventory.

Overall, these images underscore the ongoing strategic role of SLAM-ER-armed Super Hornets in U.S. operations against complex threats in the Middle East.

Author: Logan Reeves