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Harpoon
Harpoon
Basic data
Function	anti-ship missile
Manufacturer	Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Unit cost	US$720,000
Entered service	1977
General characteristics
Engine	turbojet engine
Launch mass	1,144-1,385 lb (519-628 kg) depending on launch platform
Length	15.4 ft (4.7 m)
Diameter	1.1 ft (0.34 m)
Wingspan	3 ft (0.91 m)
Speed	537 mph (864 km/h)
Range	58-196 mi (93-315 km) depending on launch platform
Warhead	487 lb (221 kg)
Guidance	Active radar
Launch platform	multi-platform: RGM-84A surface-launched AGM-84A air-launched UGM-84A submarine-launched

The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, originally developed by McDonnell Douglas of the United States, with development and manufacturing now taken over by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems. In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977. The missile system has also been further developed into a coastal strike version, the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM).

The Harpoon uses active radar homing and low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory to improve survivability and effectiveness. The missile's launch platforms include:

• Airplanes (AGM-84, without the booster);
• 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);
• Submarines (UGM-84, fitted with a solid-rocket launch booster and encapsulated in a container to enable submerged launch through a torpedo tube);
• Coastal defense batteries.

The chief competitors of the Harpoon are the French Exocet, the Swedish RBS15, the Russian SS-N-25 Switchblade and the Chinese Yingji.

Contents 1 Variants 1.1 Original Harpoon 1.2 Harpoon Block ID 1.3 Harpoon Block IE 1.4 SLAM ATA (Block IG) 1.5 Harpoon Block II 1.6 Harpoon Block III 2 Operational history 3 General characteristics 4 References 5 External links

The Harpoon was first introduced in 1977 after the sinking of the Israeli destroyer Eilat in 1967 by Soviet-built Styx anti-ship missiles from an Egyptian missile boat. Initially developed as an air-launched missile for the United States Navy, the Harpoon has been adapted for use on Air Force B-52H bombers, which can carry from eight to 12 of the missiles. The Harpoon has also been adapted for use on the F-16 Fighting Falcon, in use by the USA, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. The Republic of Singapore Air Force also operates 5 modified Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) which are fitted with sonars and sensors to fire the Harpoon missile. 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 Royal Australian Navy deploys the Harpoon on major surface combatants and the Collins class submarine. The Spanish Air Force and Chilean Navy are another AGM-84D customer and can fire the missiles from F/A-18, F-16, ships and P-3 Orion aircraft. The British Royal Navy deploys the Harpoon on several types of surface ship and submarine, and the Royal Air Force uses it on the Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft and Typhoon strike fighter. The Pakistan Navy uses the Harpoon on its naval frigates and P-3C Orions. The Canadian Forces Maritime Command (Canadian Navy) uses Harpoons on its Halifax-Class Patrol frigates.

This version featured a larger fuel tank and reattack capability, but was not produced in numbers because its intended mission (confrontation with the Soviet Union) was, after 1991, considered unlikely.

The Block IE version uses an optical seeker head borrowed from the AGM-62 Walleye, a GPS receiver and the data link from the AGM-65 Maverick missile. It is an intermediate range, all-weather weapon which can attack ships in port, which are close together, or a land target. The reuse of electronics and sensors already in service in other weapons reduced its development cost.^[1][2]

This version, under development, gives the SLAM a reattack capability as well as an image comparison capability similar to the Tomahawk cruise missile; that is, the weapon can compare the target scene in front of it with an image stored in its on-board computer during terminal phase target acquisition and lockon.^[3]

In production at Boeing facilities in Saint Charles, Missouri is the Harpoon Block II, intended to offer an expanded engagement envelope and advanced counter measures together with improved targeting. Specifically, the Harpoon was initially designed as an open-ocean weapon; Block II continues progress begun with Block IE, and provides the Harpoon with a littoral water attack capability.

The key improvements of the Harpoon Block II are obtained by incorporating the inertial measurement unit from the Joint Direct Attack Munition program, and the software, computer, Global Positioning System (GPS)/inertial navigation system and GPS antenna/receiver from the SLAM Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), an upgrade to the SLAM.

The first international customer for Harpoon Block II systems was the Royal Danish Navy, which ordered 50 upgrade kits in 1997; the first systems were delivered in 2002.^{[citation needed]}

With the addition of a robust datalink system, Harpoon Block III provides inflight target updates, positive terminal control and connectivity with future network architecture, resulting in more control after the weapon is released. The datalink is already provides autonomous, all-weather, over-the-horizon capability.

The Harpoon Block III Weapon System provides the U.S. Navy and its allies with Surface Warfare (SuW) capabilities from ships and aircraft. Harpoon Block III creates a highly capable weapon for the open water and littoral warfare environment, adding Global Positioning System capability, littoral performance improvement and a precision moving target solution.

The 500-pound blast warhead delivers lethal firepower for conventional anti-ship missions, such as open-ocean, near-land or ships in port. The datalink updated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System improves midcourse guidance to the target area. The accurate navigation solution allows users to discriminate target ships from islands, other nearby land masses, obstructions or ships. Harpoon Block III will be deployable from Harpoon missile system platforms with existing command and launch equipment, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) like P-3 Orion.

In 1981 and 1982 there were two accidental launches of Harpoon missiles from US and Danish surface ships.

In 1986, the United States Navy sank at least two Libyan patrol boats in the Gulf of Sidra. Two Harpoon missiles were launched from USS Yorktown with no confirmed result and several others from A-6 Intruder aircraft that were said to have hit their targets.^[4][5] Initial reports claimed Yorktown scored hits on a patrol boat, but after action reports indicated that the target may have been a false one and that no ships were hit by those missiles.^[6]

In 1988, Harpoon missiles were used to sink the Iranian frigate Sahand during Operation Praying Mantis. Another was fired at the FAC Joshan, but failed to strike because the FAC had already been largely sunk by RIM-66 Standard missiles. An Iranian Harpoon was also fired, at the USS Wainwright. The missile passed down the side of the ship but apparently failed to detect and engage the ship.

In December 1988, a Harpoon launched by a F/A-18 Hornet from the USS Constellation^[7] killed one sailor when it struck the Jagvivek, a 250 ft long Indian merchant ship, during an exercise at the Pacific Missile Range near Kauai, Hawaii. A Notice to Mariners had been issued warning of the danger, but when Jagvivek strayed in the test range, the unarmed Harpoon, loaded with an inert warhead, locked onto it instead of its intended target.

57 Harpoons were sold to the Republic of China Air Force.

• Primary function: Air, surface or submarine launched anti-surface (anti-ship) missile
• Contractor: Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
• Power plant: Teledyne J402 turbojet, 660 lbf (2.9 kN) thrust, and solid propellant booster for surface and submarine launch
• Length:
  • Air launched: 3.8 m (12 ft 7 in)
  • Surface and submarine launched: 4.6 m (15 ft)
• Weight:
  • Air launched: 519 kg (1,160 lb)
  • Submarine or ship launched from box or canister launcher: 628 kg (1,523 lb)
• Diameter: 340 mm (13.5 in)
• Wing span: 910 mm (3 ft) with booster fins and wings
• Range: Over-the-horizon
  • AGM-84D - 220 km (120 nm)
  • RGM/UGM-84D - 140 km (75 nm)
  • AGM-84E - 93 km (50 nm)
  • AGM-84F - 315 km (170 nm)
  • AGM-84H/K- 280 km (150 nm)
• Speed: High subsonic, around 850 km/h (460 knots, 240 m/s, 530 mph)
• Guidance: Sea-skimming cruise monitored by radar altimeter, active radar terminal homing
• Warhead: 221 kg (488 lb), penetration high-explosive blast
• Unit cost: US$720,000
• Date deployed:
  • Ship launched (RGM-84A): 1977
  • Air launched (AGM-84A): 1979
  • Submarine launched (UGM-84A): 1981
  • SLAM (AGM-84E): 1990
  • SLAM-ER (AGM-84H): 1998 (delivery); 2000 (initial operational capability (IOC))
  • SLAM-ER ATA (AGM-84K): 2002 (IOC)

• Official Harpoon information – Boeing Integrated Defense System website
• Detailed information of all Harpoon versions and upgrades – From Encyclopedia Astronautica
• AGM-84 variants
• McDonnell-Douglas AGM-84A Harpoon and AGM-84E SLAM
• FAS Harpoon article
• Global Security Harpoon article

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