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RGM-84 Harpoon



Overview


Mk 140 quad launcher

RGM-84 Harpoon being launched from a Mk 141 launcher in a typical port and starboard setup.
Source: www.fas.org - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
United States
Type
Anti-ship missile
Entered service
1977
Status
In service
Development
1968 - 1974
Developer
United States - McDonnell Douglas
Production
1975 - present
Producer
United States
Unit cost
$ 1.2 million for Block 2 in 2009
Number produced
Over 7.000
Notable users
United States
Japan

Description


Introduction

The Harpoon is an anti-ship missile of US origin. It was developed in the early 1970's as armament for aircraft. By adding a booster section it eventually became more prominent as a surface to surface missile for ships and submarines. The Harpoon can be considered the main anti-shipping missile of the Western nations, even though Exocet, Otomat and RBS-15 are widely used as well. The Harpoon is the main anti-ship armament of many NATO frigates and destroyers.

Design

The Harpoon has a long cylindrical body and a rounded nose. In the middle there are four cruciform wings and four smaller control fins are located at the rear. The first quarter of the missile is the guidance section including radar, inertial navigation and associated electronics. The second quarter is the high explosive warhead, which is to penetrate the hull and detonate inside the target vessel. The second half of the missile is the solid fuel sustainer rocket motor. In the surface launched models an additional solid fuel booster section is added at the rear which burns for about 3 seconds and provides initial velocity.

Guidance

The Harpoon uses active radar homing to detect and track enemy vessels. Inertial navigation is used until the missile reaches the target area. Over time the guidance has been improved by adding a re-attack capability, GPS assisted inertial navigation and a two way data link in the latest versions. The Harpoon possesses a very limited land attack capability.

Firepower

The Harpoon is a subsonic anti-ship missile that travels at Mach 0.9. Early models performed a pop up attack but subsequent versions are sea skimming missiles. The 220 kg warhead will destroy most frigates and destroyers. Larger vessels may require multiple hits. The effective range for most models is 130 km.

Platform

On ships the quad pack Mk 141 launcher is the most common launcher. Usually a pair of Mk 141 launchers is used with one facing port and the other starboard. The Mk 112 ASROC launcher, Mk 13 and Mk 22 single arm launchers and Mk 11 twin arm launcher are used as well. The submarine launched models are fitted in a capsule with the size of a 533mm torpedo and is launched from the torpedo tubes. A small number of Harpoons is in use on coastal defense systems.

Users

The main user of the Harpoon is the US Navy which uses all types including the various air launched models. Many Harpoon missiles are in use with NATO nations and other US allies. Production for the United States has ceased although upgrade programs are still continuing. The production for export continues.

Variants


Mk 112 ASROC launcher

RGM-84 Harpoon being launched from a Mk 112 ASROC launcher.
Source: US Navy (photographer unknown) - © public domain

RGM-84A
Original surface vessel launched version of the Harpoon. Entered service in 1977.
RGM-84C
Harpoon Block 1B upgrade introduced in 1982 that replaces the pop up flight profile with a sea skimming one.
RGM-84D
Harpoon Block 1C upgrade introduced in 1985 with increased range, selectable pop up or sea skimming mode, ECCM improvements and plottable waypoints.
RGM-84F
Harpoon Block 1D is an upgrade introduced in 1991 with more fuel resulting in longer body and increased range. Also as a re-attack capability. Few produced since programme was cancelled in 1993.
RGM-84G
Harpoon Block 1E is a conversion of Block 1C with improved ECCM capabilities and Block 1D re-attack capability.
RGM-84L
Harpoon Block 2 is an upgrade of Block 1E with GPS aided inertial navigation and improved hardware.
RGM-84M
Harpoon Block 3 upgrade features GPS assisted inertial navigation and two way data link.

Details


Facts RGM-84A RGM-84D RGM-84F
General
Origin
United States
Type
Anti-ship missile
Dimensions
Length
4.63 m
Diameter
0.343 m
Wingspan
0.9 m
Weight
683 kg
Guidance
Terminal phase
Active radar homing
Initial phase
Inertial navigation
Warhead
Type
WDU-18/B penetrating HE-fragmentation
Weight
221 kg
Fuse
Delayed impact fuse
Engagement envelope
Propulsion
Booster: solid propellant rocket motor
Sustainer: Teledyne J402-CA-400 turbojet
Speed
Mach 0.9
Range
130 km
Altitude
Pop-up flight profile

Media


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