Missile AGM-88 HARM
Summary
| Category | Air-to-Surface Missile |
| Sub-type | Anti-radar missile |
| Origin country | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
Technical specifications
| AGM-88 HARM | |
|---|---|
| Warhead | High Explosive |
| Warhead Weight | 65 kg |
| Diameter | 254 mm (10.0 in) |
| Span | 1016 mm (40.0 in) |
| Length | 4140 mm (163.0 in) |
| Weight | 360 kg (794 lb) |
| Range | 48 km (30 mi) |
Description
The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is an American tactical, air-to-surface missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. Developed by Texas Instruments and currently produced by Raytheon, it was introduced into service in 1985 and is used by the United States Navy and Air Force, among other allied nations.
The primary mission of the AGM-88 HARM is Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). It targets radar installations to clear the way for other aircraft to operate in a hostile environment. When launched, the missile homes in on the electromagnetic radiation emitted by enemy radar systems and follows this radiation to the source, thereby destroying or disabling the radar.
The AGM-88 is propelled by a dual-thrust rocket motor, allowing it to reach speeds of around Mach 2. This high speed enhances its survivability by reducing the time enemy forces have to react once the missile is launched.
The HARM employs a passive radar homing guidance system, meaning it doesn't emit signals itself but instead relies on the radar emissions of its target for guidance. This adds an element of stealth to its operation, as it doesn't give away its position through radar emissions.
Over the years, the AGM-88 has undergone various upgrades to improve its capabilities. The latest versions feature more advanced guidance electronics, longer range, and better countermeasures to deal with sophisticated radar systems, including those that employ frequency-hopping and other tactics to avoid detection or targeting.
The AGM-88 HARM has seen combat in numerous conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Balkans, and more recent operations in the Middle East. Its effectiveness in the SEAD role has been proven, although, like any system, it's not without vulnerabilities, such as the evolving capabilities of modern radar systems designed to resist SEAD tactics.