AGM-84D
Harpoon
Unofficial
names/slang: n/a
Function:
Air-to-Surface Anti-ship Missile
Date
deployed: 1985
Contractor:
McDonnell Douglas
Unit cost:
unavailable
Length:
12' - 7" (3.87m)
Wingspan:
3' - 0" (0.92m)
Diameter:
1' - 1.5" (0.35m)
Speed:
high subsonic
Weight at
launch: 1,150 lbs
Guidance:
Active Radar w/ sea-skimming cruise
Range:
unavailable (over the horizon)
Engine:
Teledyne
Turbojet
Warhead:
488 lb High Explosive (HE) Penetration |
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Mission:
The AGM-84D Harpoon is an all-weather,
over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system. Its
low-level, sea-skimming cruise trajectory, active
radar guidance and warhead design assure high
survivability and effectiveness.
Features: The AGM-84D Harpoon was
adapted for use on B-52H bombers, which can carry
eight missiles externally on pylons. External
carriage of AGM-84s allows the B-52 to additionally
upload U.S. Navy sea mines internally in the bomb
bay providing the theater commander a long-range,
rapid response platform for sea control and area
denial. The B-52 armed with Harpoons and mines
offers the warfighter complete sea control.
Background: Originally developed for
the U.S. Navy to serve as its basic anti-ship
missile for fleet-wide use, the AGM-84D Harpoon also
has been adapted for use on Air Combat Command's
B-52H bombers.
At the direction of Headquarters Strategic Air
Command, the Harpoon Air Command and Launch Control
Set was fully integrated into an operational B-52G
from Mather Air Force Base, Calif., in March 1983.
Three successful live launches at the Naval Air
Warfare Center, Point Mugu, Calif., led to the
modification of a total of 30 B-52G's with Harpoon
launch control equipment, enough to provide two
squadrons of Harpoon-capable B-52G's by June 30,
1985. The 42nd Bombardment Wing, Loring Air Force
Base, Maine, and the 43rd Bombardment Wing, Andersen
AB, Guam, were first tasked to perform the Harpoon
mission. Both wings refined tactics and doctrine to
merge the long-range, heavy-payload capability of
the B-52 with the proven reliability of this
superior stand-off attack weapon.
In May 1994, after Loring AFB closed and after
the retirement of the last B-52G at Castle AFB,
Calif., the Harpoon mission was moved to the 2nd
Bomb Wing at Barksdale AFB, La. Four B-52H models
were rapidly modified (as an interim measure) to
accept Harpoon launch control equipment pending
B-52H fleet modification. This modification has
since been replaced by the conventional enhancement
modification to the B-52. This modification
incorporates new aircraft wiring and LRUs in
addition to new wiring and line replacement units to
the external suspension and release equipment. All
CEM B-52s are Harpoon capable, providing both the
2nd Bomb Wing and the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot AFB,
N.D., full squadron strength capability.
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