The AGM-88 HARM (High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile) is a highly advanced air-to-surface missile engineered to target and destroy enemy radar systems, particularly those used for air defense. Due to its precision, speed, and capability to neutralize radar-guided threats, it is a critical asset in modern military operations, especially for suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions. The missile plays a vital role in ensuring air superiority by reducing the effectiveness of enemy radar and missile systems, thereby protecting friendly aircraft.
Country users: Australia, Bahrain, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United States
Technical Data
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Design
The AGM-88 HARM has a streamlined cylindrical body designed for high-speed engagements. It is equipped with four rear-mounted wings and a control section near the nose for aerodynamic stability. The missile measures approximately 13 feet 8 inches (4.17 meters) in length, with a diameter of 10 inches (0.254 meters) and a wingspan of 3 feet 7 inches (1.11 meters). Weighing around 800 pounds (360 kilograms), its modular design allows for upgrades and adaptations to meet evolving threat environments.
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Warhead
The AGM-88 missile is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead designed to destroy radar installations and electronic equipment. The warhead weighs approximately 150 pounds (68 kilograms) and is optimized to maximize damage to radar arrays, communication equipment, and control centers. This makes it effective against both fixed and mobile radar targets, ensuring adaptability in various combat scenarios.
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Propulsion
The AGM-88 HARM uses a solid rocket motor for propulsion, enabling it to reach supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2. The propulsion system provides the necessary thrust for long-range engagements, with the missile capable of reaching distances of over 30 miles (approximately 48 kilometers). This design ensures rapid engagement, minimizing enemy reaction time to deactivate radar systems.
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Guidance Systems
One of the most advanced features of the AGM-88 HARM is its guidance system. It employs a passive radar seeker head that detects, targets, and homes in on radio frequency emissions from radar systems. This capability allows the missile to autonomously track and destroy radar sources even if they are turned off post-launch, a feature that distinguishes it from older anti-radiation missiles. The guidance system also includes programmable target priority settings, enabling the missile to adapt to complex battlefield environments and changing threat landscapes, providing higher precision and autonomous tracking capabilities.
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Combat Use
The AGM-88 HARM is typically launched from various platforms, including fighter jets like the F/A-18 Hornet, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-35 Lightning II. Its primary role is to suppress enemy air defenses by destroying radar installations, SAM sites, and other electronic warfare systems. It is particularly effective in environments where the enemy relies heavily on radar for targeting and coordination. The missile's ability to home in on radar emissions makes it an indispensable tool for SEAD missions, allowing friendly forces to operate with greater freedom and reduced risk from enemy air defenses. Beyond SEAD missions, the AGM-88 can also be deployed in pre-emptive strikes against known radar sites, disabling them before enemy forces can react, offering strategic advantages in warfare.
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