Harpoon A/R/UGM-84 Missile System

Fact Sheet

Background

.....Originally developed for the U.S. Navy as a basic anti-ship missile. The A/R/UGM-84 was first introduced in 1977. And in 1979, the air-launched version was deployed on the Navy's P-3C Orion aircraft. The Harpoon was also adapted for use on USAF B-52H bombers, which can carry from 8 to 12 of the missiles. The Harpoon missile has been integrated on foreign F-16 aircraft and is presently being integrated on foreign F-15 aircraft. Under a 1998 agreement between Boeing and the Navy, an advanced upgrade to Harpoon missile was developed. This Harpoon, Block II missile incorporated Global Positioning System-assisted inertial navigation, which enables the system to have both an anti-ship and a land attack capability. 

Service: Navy, Air Force, and 27 foreign nations.

General Characteristics:

Primary Function: Air, ship, and foreign submarine and land-based coastal defense battery launched anti-ship cruise missile.

Contractor: The Boeing Company.

Date Deployed: 1977.

Unit Cost: $1,200,000 for Harpoon Block II.

Propulsion: Teledyne Turbojet / solid propellant booster for surface and submarine launch. Thrust: greater than 600 pounds (greater than ..................272.2 kg).

Length: Air launched: 12 feet, 7 inches (3.8 meters); Surface and submarine launched: 15 feet (4.6 meters)

Diameter: 13.5 inches (34.3 cm).

Wingspan: 3 feet (91.4 cm) with booster fins and wings.

Weight: 1,523 pounds (690.8 kg) with booster.

Speed: High subsonic.

Range: Over-the-horizon, in excess of 67 nautical miles (124 km).

Guidance System: Sea-skimming cruise monitored by radar altimeter / active radar terminal homing.

Warhead: Penetration / high-explosive blast (488 pounds/224 kg).

 

Last Update: 7 August 2003