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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
RGM-84 Harpoon being launched from a Mk 112 ASROC launcher.
Source: US Navy (photographer unknown) -
© public domain
The AGM-84 SLAM is an air launched land attack variant of the Harpoon missile.
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