Missile AGM-114 Hellfire
Summary
| Category | Anti-Tank Missile |
| Sub-type | Anti-tank guided missile |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Manufacturer | Hughes |
Technical specifications
| AGM-114 Hellfire | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive Anti Tank |
| Warhead Weight | 8 kg |
| Diameter | 177 mm (7.0 in) |
| Span | 330 mm (13.0 in) |
| Length | 1630 mm (64.2 in) |
| Weight | 45 kg (99 lb) |
Description
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile initially designed for anti-armor purposes. Produced by Lockheed Martin, it entered service in 1984 and is widely used by the United States and several allied countries. The missile can be launched from various platforms, such as helicopters, including the AH-64 Apache, and fixed-wing aircraft like the MQ-9 Reaper, as well as ground-based launchers.
It utilizes multiple types of guidance systems, including laser, radar, and infrared. Some versions even allow for manual guidance post-launch. Depending on the variant, it has a range of up to 8 kilometers and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.3. It's propelled by a solid-fuel rocket motor.
Typically equipped with a High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead, it can also be fitted with a blast fragmentation warhead for different kinds of missions. As for its cost, each unit is priced at around $110,000, although this can vary.
The Hellfire is available in several variants for different mission requirements, such as the multi-purpose AGM-114R, the anti-armor AGM-114K, and the radar-guided AGM-114L. It has been extensively used in various conflicts, including the Gulf War, Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan.