AIR TO SURFACE MISSILES

AGM-88 HIGH SPEED ANTI-RADIATION MISSILE (HARM)

 

A German Air Force Panavia Tornado of JbG-32, Lechfeld, Germany, with an AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missile attached to the wing and an AGM-88 HARM air-to-ground missile attached to the underside of the fuselage

The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is an air-to-surface tactical missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions associated with surface-to-air missile radar systems.

The missile was originally developed by Texas Instruments (TI) as a replacement for the AGM-45 Shrike and AGM-78 Standard ARM system.

Production was later taken over by Raytheon Corporation (RAYCO) when TI's defence business was purchased by RAYCO.


The AGM-88 can detect, attack and destroy a radar antenna or transmitter with minimal aircrew input. The proportional guidance system that homes in on enemy radar emissions has a fixed antenna and seeker head in the missile's nose.

A smokeless, solid-propellant, dual-thrust rocket motor propels the missile at speeds up to Mach 2. HARM, a Navy-led program, was integrated onto the A-6E, A-7 and F/A-18 initially and later onto the EA-6B. RDT&E for use onboard the F-14 was begun, but not completed. The Air Force introduced HARM onboard the F-4G Wild Weasel and later on specialised F-16 aircraft equipped with the HARM Targeting System (HTS).

The newest upgrade is the AGM-88E Advanced Anti Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM), which is a joint venture by the Italian Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defense.

The AARGM will feature the latest software and enhanced capabilities. The AARGM is intended to counter radar shutdown. A passive radar and an active millimetre wave seekers will be installed on the AARGM.
 

AGM-88 HARM Specifications
Type High speed anti radiation missile
Manufacturer Raytheon
Weight 800lb (360kg)
Warhead 146lbs (66kg) direct fragmentation with proximity/contact fuse
Length 13ft 8in (4.1m),
Diameter 10in (25.4cm)
Performance Speed Mach 2+, range 150km