Short-range, ship-, submarine-, air- and ground-launched, turbofan-propelled, single warhead, air-to-surface and surface-to-surface missile. Development The US Navy began studies for an anti-ship missile system in 1965, at the same time that McDonnell Douglas were conducting similar private studies. In July 1971, McDonnell Douglas won the development contract and in May 1973 the US Navy selected the Harpoon as its prime Anti-Surface Vessel (ASV) missile for aircraft (AGM-84A), submarines (UGM-84A) and surface ships (RGM-84A). All three systems entered service in 1977 and since then there have been A, B, C, D, E, F, G and H versions in service with several different build standards. A nuclear version was studied in 1979 but not funded into development. Over the years there have been several improvement programmes, the Block 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1G and the SLAM-ER. The Block 1 initial build standard missiles were designated AGM/RGM/UGM-84A in US service and UGM-84B for the UK version. Block 1B standard missiles were designated AGM/RGM/UGM-84C, Block 1C missiles AGM/RGM/UGM-84D, Block 1D missiles RGM-84F, Block 1E missiles AGM-84E (also known as the Stand-off Land Attack Missile - SLAM), Block 1G missiles AGM/RGM/UGM-84G, and the SLAM-ER missiles are designated AGM-84H. A further upgrade has been proposed, known as Block 2, using a modified INS/GPS guidance system from the GBU-29/30 JDAM programme, and either the 320 kg HE warhead from AGM-84H or submunitions from the RGM-84E Sea SLAM version. A coastal defence system using the standard ship-launched RGM-84 missiles was also developed, and has been exported to Denmark and Spain, and is thought to be in service with Egypt. The UK's UGM-84B version, with the RN designator GWS60, has been fitted to `Trafalgar' and `Swiftsure' class submarines and is launched through their torpedo tubes. This missile cruised at a lower altitude than the RGM-84A and a similar capability was introduced in the Block 1B missiles from 1982. Block 1C missiles (AGM/RGM/UGM-84D) had improved ECCM, indirect attack and increased range, and entered service in 1985. Block 1D missiles with further range and a re-attack capability were cancelled in 1993. Block 1E missiles (AGM-84E) were developed to attack land targets and entered service in 1990. A naval version, known as RGM-84E Sea SLAM, has been tested since 1990. The Block 1G missiles have completed development, and it is planned to upgrade Block 1C missiles to the Block 1G standard with software improvements for ECCM and to provide a re-attack capability. The SLAM Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) AGM-84H introduces a new seeker and wings taken from the RGM/UGM-109 Tomahawk missile, and flight tests started in 1997. In 1994 McDonnell Douglas proposed a further variant, named Grand SLAM, specifically aimed at a UK requirement for a 250 km range land attack missile. Harpoon 2000 was proposed in 1996, with an infrared seeker, GPS navigation and a digital datalink added to the ship-launched RGM-84. This new version has been designed to operate close to land, but with a range of around 150 km. The RGM-84 is fitted to guided missile cruisers of the `Virginia', `California', `Bainbridge' and `Ticonderoga' class in two quadruple launchers; to guided missile destroyers of the `Arleigh Burke', `Kidd' and `Spruance' class in two quadruple launchers; and to the `Oliver Hazard Perry' class of guided missile frigates, four missiles for a single launcher. UGM-84 missiles are fitted to submarines of the `Seawolf', `Los Angeles', `Sturgeon' and `Permit' class for launch from their torpedo tubes. The AGM-84 Harpoon missile has been cleared for carriage on P-3 Orion, S-3 Viking, A-7E Corsair 2, Nimrod MR 2, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-6 Intruder, B1-B Lancer, B-52 Stratofortress, F/A-18 Hornet, F-20 Tigershark aircraft, and the AGM-84E SLAM on B-52, F-111C, F27 Maritime, A-6 Intruder and F/A-18 Hornet aircraft. Description Harpoon has four clipped-tip triangular-wings (folded on some variants) at mid-body and four smaller in-line clipped triangular moving control fins at the rear. The missile with booster is 4.64 m long, has a body diameter of 0.34 m and with a 222 kg HE blast penetration warhead weighs 682 kg at launch. Both the UGM-84A and the RGM-84A are powered by a turbofan sustainer motor and have a tandem booster motor with in-line tail fins attached. The solid propellant boost motor burns for 3 seconds, and is then jettisoned. The turbofan engine has a fuel tank with 45 kg of fuel (JP-6 or JP-10) with a 15 minute endurance. This combination gives the missile a maximum range of 130 km. For submarine launches, UGM-84 Harpoon is enclosed in a capsule. When launched from the torpedo tube, stabilising fins unfold to establish the proper glide angle for broaching the water's surface. A sensor then initiates release of the capsule nose and tail sections, followed by ignition of the missile boost motor. At the same time the missile exits the capsule, wings and fins unfold, and Harpoon is propelled into a flight trajectory similar to that of the surface launches. Submarines fitted with Mk 113 fire-control systems use a separate Encapsulated Harpoon Command and Launch Systems (EHCLS), whilst those with the Mk 117 fire-control system have the Harpoon weapon integrated. For ship launches the RGM-84 Harpoon can be fired from Mk 112 RUR-5 ASROC launchers and from Mk 10 Terrier launchers or the Mk 141 Harpoon canister launcher. A Mk 141 launcher assembly holds four missiles in canisters at an angle of 35° and weighs 5,900 kg. Some foreign navies used a smaller Mk 140 launcher, either in four or two canister configurations. A ship fit also includes the AN/SWG-1 weapon control system. For aircraft carriage a Harpoon Aircraft Command Launch Control System (HACLCS) is fitted. All variants of Harpoon fly the same flight pattern after aircraft or booster separation, when the missile descends to a low cruise altitude, determined by its altimeter, and flies toward the target by inertial guidance under the power of its turbofan engine. At a point preset by the launch platform the J-band frequency-agile two axis active radar seeker is activated into its search and acquire mode. The missile is usually launched in this preset Range and Bearing Launch (RBL) mode, turning on the radar seeker at the last moment to acquire the target. The radar can be set for large, medium or small acquisition windows that determine the range-to-target at which the seeker is activated. The smaller the window the more precise the initial target data must be and the less chance that the missile will succumb to ECM. The alternative launch technique is the Bearing Only Launch (BOL) in which the missile is fired along the target bearing and the seeker is activated early in the trajectory to scan a 45° search sector either side of the missile course. If no target is acquired after a suitable time on the initial bearing then the missile switches to a preset search pattern, and if it then fails to acquire, it will self-destruct. In either launch mode, once the target is detected and the seeker is locked on in its tracking mode the Block 1A missile climbs rapidly at about 1,800 m from the target in a pop-up manoeuvre before diving down onto the target at an angle of about 30°. The later Block 1B and 1C missiles have a sea-skimming terminal attack profile. The Block 1C can also be programmed to carry out an indirect approach. The improved RGM-84 Harpoon, known as Block 1D (not AGM-84E SLAM), was to have had the capability to conduct search patterns for targets, and was expected to have double the range of the RGM-84. This version was to be 5.30 m long and weigh 750 kg at launch, but Block 1D was terminated in 1993. In 1994 a lower cost version of RGM-84 Harpoon was proposed as Block 1G, which incorporates the software changes of the cancelled Block 1D but without extending the range. This version has been funded by the US Navy, and the missile has the designator RGM-84G. Harpoon 2000 was proposed in 1996 for use in all weathers close to land, and would have an active radar seeker with an InfraRed (IR) or MilliMetric Wave (MMW) dual mode. This missile will use Block 1D re-attack software with GPS and a digital datalink. The coastal defence version of Harpoon uses a wheeled transporter-erector-launcher vehicle carrying four missiles in canisters. A basic system consists of a missile control unit vehicle and two TELs, with the control unit assemblies using the same command launch control system as on board ship. AGM-84E SLAM uses the Harpoon airframe, engine and warhead with an AGM-65D Maverick IIR seeker and an AGM-62 Walleye AN/AWW-14 video datalink pod to enable the aircrew to control the seeker. SLAM has inertial mid-course guidance updated by GPS. The missile (air-launched version) is 4.50 m long, has a body diameter of 0.34 m, and weighs 628 kg at launch. This version has a maximum range of 95 km. The US Navy version will be known as RGM-84E Sea SLAM, and this missile will be 5.25 m long (including the boost motor assembly), and weigh 780 kg at launch. Sea SLAM will need a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter as an airborne datalink for maximum range firings. This missile can carry eight BAT or 153 CEM submunitions. The terminal IIR seeker is used to enable the aircrew to select their aim point, and lock the missile guidance onto that aim point so that the launch aircraft can manoeuvre away from any defences. The maximum range of Sea SLAM is 85 km. AGM-84H (SLAM-ER) introduces a new IIR seeker and adds wings derived from the RGM/UGM-109 Tomahawk missile with a span of 2.43 m. This increases the range to 280 km. The missile has a length of 4.37 m, a body diameter of 0.34 m and a launch weight of 727 kg. This version has a heavier 320 kg HE blast penetration warhead and future models may include an automatic target recognition system. SLAM-ER uses an improved video datalink between the missile and launch aircraft, to allow the operator to designate the precise land or ship target for the terminal phase guidance. Operational Status The first Harpoon missile trial flight was completed in 1972, and three versions of Harpoon entered service in 1977, the air-, ship- and submarine-launched versions and missiles have been produced for the US Navy and 24 other countries. Block 1B missiles entered service in 1982, Block 1C in 1985, Block 1D was terminated in 1993, Block 1E entered service in 1990 (SLAM) and Block 1G were exported from 1997. The Harpoon missile remains in production and by 1997 over 7,000 missiles (Harpoon and SLAM) had been ordered. Harpoon is used by the following countries; Australia, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, UK, USA and Venezuela. AGM-84 and RGM-84 Harpoon missiles were used against targets in Libya in 1986, by Iran in 1986-88 against Iraq, by the USA against Iran in 1988 and against Iraq in the 1990-91 Gulf War. AGM-84 SLAM was used in the 1990-91 Gulf War when about seven missiles were fired. By June 1996 there had been over 610 SLAM missiles delivered for use by the USAF. Original plans were that the USAF would purchase 900 SLAM, but this figure will be reduced to introduce the SLAM-ER version. SLAM-ER, started flight tests in March 1997 and a 13 missile test programme is planned for completion in 1998. Plans announced in 1995 indicate that some SLAM missiles will be upgraded and some new built to reach a total of 700 SLAM-ER (AGM-84H) by 2004. Low rate initial production for 60 missiles started in April 1997. The US Navy Sea SLAM, RGM-84E, is expected to enter service in 1997 and 75 missiles were ordered in 1994. Sea SLAM was tested against a ship target in 1990, using a SH-60 Seahawk helicopter to designate the target. Two Sea SLAM missiles were launched in April 1996 against land targets, with designation from a SH-60 helicopter for the first trial and from an F/A-18 Hornet in the second trial. RGM-84G (Block 1G) missiles completed flight tests in 1997 and deliveries started to overseas customers; it is planned that some USN Block 1C missiles will be upgraded to the Block 1G standard. Coastal defence systems, using the standard RGM-84 Harpoon ship-launched missile system, have been ordered by Denmark, Egypt and Spain. Denmark has two batteries of missiles, using Block 1C, with each battery having two launcher vehicles each fitted with four launch canisters. SPECIFICATIONS :
RGM/UGM-84 Harpoon
AGM-84 Harpoon
AGM-84E SLAM
AGM-84H SLAM-ER COMPANY NAME : McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems
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