AGM-84 Harpoon
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
The AGM-84 Harpoon is a U.S. all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system. It has also been developed, as the AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM).
Harpoon uses active radar guidance and low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and effectiveness. The missile is capable of being launched from surface ships (RGM-84, fitted with a solid-rocket launch booster that detaches when expended to allow the missile's integral turbojet to maintain flight), from submarines (UGM-84, fitted with a solid-rocket launch booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube), or (AGM-84, without the booster) from aircraft.
Originally developed for the US Navy to serve as its basic anti-ship missile for fleet-wide use, the AGM-84D has been adapted for use on Air Force B-52G bombers, which can carry from eight to 12 of the missiles. The AGM-84E has been adapted for use on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, in use by both the USA and the United Arab Emirates. The Royal Australian Air Force can fire AGM-84 series missiles from its F-111C/G Aardvark, F/A-18 Hornet and AP-3C Orion aircraft.
The AGM-84D was first introduced in 1977, and in 1979 an air-launched version was deployed on the Navy's P-3 Orion aircraft.
The chief competitor of the Harpoon is the French Exocet.
Harpoon Block II
In development is the planned Harpoon II, intended to offer an expanded engagement envelope and advanced counter-measures together with improved targeting. Also due to be deployed is the SLAM-ER (Expanded Response), an upgrade to the AGM-84E SLAM system.
General characteristics
- Primary Function: Air, surface, or submarine launched anti-surface (anti-ship) cruise missile.
- Contractor: Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
- Power Plant: Teledyne Turbojet and solid propellant booster for surface and submarine launch.
- Thrust: 660 lbf (2.9 kN)
- Length:
- air launched: 12 ft 7 in (3.8 m)
- surface and submarine launched: 15 ft (4.6 m)
- Weight:
- air launched: 1,145 lb (519 kg)
- submarine or ship launched from box or canister launcher: 1,385 lb (628 kg)
- Diameter: 13.5 in (340 mm)
- Wing Span: 910 mm (3 ft) with booster fins and wings.
- Range: Over-the-horizon, in excess of 60 nautical miles (110 km)
- Speed: High Subsonic, around 850 km/h
- Guidance: Sea-skimming cruise monitored by radar altimeter, active radar terminal homing.
- Warhead: 488 lb (221 kg), penetration high-explosive blast
- Unit Cost: US$720,000
- Date Deployed: 1985
See also
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Categories: Anti-ship missiles | Cold War missiles of the United States | Modern missiles of the United States
