AGM-84 Harpoon: Technical data and discussion

Components

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Propulsion

All AGM-84 variants uses Teledyne CAE J402-CA-400 turbojet engine for propulsion. It weighs 100 lb (45.4 kg) and provides 600-660 lbf (2.67-2.94 kN) of thrust[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Thrust specific fuel consumption is 1.2-1.58 lb/(h·lbf)[1, 2, 3, 5].

Early Harpoons used 100 lb (45.4 kg) of JP-5 fuel for propulsion[3, 6, 7, 8]. It was changed to denser JP-10 in AGM-84D, results in doubled range[6, 9, 10, 11, 12]. For the AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER, the fuel capacity has been increased to 132 lb (59.8 kg)[13].

Warhead
Harpoon and AGM-84E SLAM uses 488 lb (221 kg) WDU-18/B penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead containing 215 lb (97.5 kg) of Destex[14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20].

SLAM-ER uses 500 lb (226 kg) WDU-40/B penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead[14, 21, 22, 23, 24]. This new warhead features reduced explosive filling to 166 lb (75.2 kg) and a specifically shaped titanium case for more than twice of penetrating capability[14, 23, 25].

Seeker
Harpoon uses Texas Instruments AN/DSQ-28 guidance section with active radar seeker for terminal guidance[26, 27, 28, 29]. The seeker provides effective target acquisition and tracking up to sea state 5[30].

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SLAM uses WGU-10/B imaging infrared seeker[16, 19, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35]. This was designed for common IIR seeker to many guided weapons like AGM-65D, GBU-15 and AGM-130[32].

Guidance
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Harpoon rely on inertial navigation during midcourse guidance[36, 37, 38]. When the radar seeker finds a target, the missile descents to a sea-skimming altitude of 5-20 ft (1.5-6 m)[36, 37, 38, 39].

There are two terminal attack mode: pop-up and sea-skimming. Block 1 AGM-84A is pop-up only, Block 1B AGM-84C is sea-skimming only, and Block 1C AGM-84D is selectable between the two[9, 11, 12, 40, 41].

For SLAM, midcourse guidance is updated to the GPS-aided inertial navigation[16, 34, 35]. Thanks to the imaging infrared seeker from AGM-65D, it can be used against ground targets. However the SLAM’s maximum range is much longer than seeker’s acquisition range, it requires datalink to the launch aircraft for precision stand-off attack.

SLAM-ER presents better guidance, including terrain following capability and automatic target recognition feature[16, 34, 42].

Variants
AGM-84A Harpoon Block 1
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Specifications

Length: 151 in (3.84 m)[7, 43, 44]
Diameter: 13.5 in (34.3 cm)[6, 7, 43, 44]
Wingspan: 3 ft (91.4 cm)[44]
Weight: 1,160 lb (526 kg)[7, 43]
Propulsion: J402-CA-400
Fuel capacity: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
Warhead: WDU-18/B
Guidance: inertial navigation + active radar homing
Maximum speed: Mach 0.85[6, 8]
Range: 60 NM (111 km)

Baseline model. Utilizes pop-up terminal attack mode.


AGM-84C Harpoon Block 1B

Upgraded version featuring lower cruising altitude.

Removed pop-up terminal attack mode for low altitude defense penetration.


AGM-84D Harpoon Block 1C

Specifications

Length: 151 in (3.84 m)
Diameter: 13.5 in (34.3 cm)
Wingspan: 3 ft (91.4 cm)
Weight: 1,200 lb (544 kg)[45]
Propulsion: J402-CA-400
Fuel capacity: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
Warhead: WDU-18/B
Guidance: inertial navigation + active radar homing
Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
Range: 120 NM (222 km)

Fuel has been replaced from JP-5 to JP-10, doubling range.

Terminal attack mode is selectable between pop-up and sea-skimming.


AGM-84E Standoff Land Attack Missile

Specifications

Length: 178 in (4.52 m)[13, 19, 43]
Diameter: 13.5 in (34.3 cm)
Wingspan: 3 ft (91.4 cm)
Weight: 1,366 lb (620 kg)[13, 19]
Propulsion: J402-CA-400
Fuel capacity: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
Warhead: WDU-18/B
Guidance: GPS-aided intertial navigation + datalink + imaging infrared homing
Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
Range: 50 NM (93 km)

Air-to-ground cruise missile variant, derived from AGM-84A[46].

Utilized WGU-10/B seeker from AGM-65, AN/AWW-13 datalink from AGM-62.


AGM-84H/K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response
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Specifications

Length: 172 in (4.36 m)[13, 19, 22]
Diameter: 13.5 in (342.9 mm)
Wingspan: 7.2 ft (2.19 m)[19, 22]
Weight: 1,500 lb (680 kg)[13, 19, 22]
Propulsion: J402-CA-400
Fuel capacity: 132 lb (59.8 kg)
Warhead: WDU-40/B
Guidance: GPS-aided intertial navigation + datalink + imaging infrared homing
Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
Range: 150 NM (278 km)

Modified SLAM with fold-out wing, new guidance section, improved warhead.


Sources:

[1] William E. Kidd, “Turbine Powerplants for Missiles - Cost Improvement Requirements,” in SAE Technical Paper 730364, 1973, pp. 1251
[2] Richard A. Leyes II and William A. Fleming, The History of North American Small Gas Turbine Aircraft Engines, 1st ed. Reston: AIAA, 1999, pp.107
[3] Ken Perkins, Weapons and Warfare: Conventional Weapons and Their Roles in Battle. Brassey’s, 1987, pp. 38
[4] “Gas Turbine Engines,” in Aviation Week & Space Technology January 26, 2009. New York: AWST, 2009
[5] Wolfram F. Hanrieder, Words and Arms: A Dictionary of Security and Defense Terms. Milton Park, United Kingdom: Taylor & Francis, 2019
[6] Mi Seitelman, Seapower: Modern Naval Technology of The USA And Europe. Osceola: Motorbooks Intl., 1988, pp. 12
[7] Fiscal Year 1978 Authorization for Military Procurement, Research and Deployment, and Active Duty, Selected Reserve, and Civilian Personnel Strengths: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate, Ninety-Fifth Congress, First Session, on S.1210. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1977, pp.4703
[8] Mark Hewish, “Harpoon,” in Proceedings, Volume 103/2/888. Annapolis: USNI, 1977
[9] Frederick E. Grosick, Patrick L. Massey and Mark W. Petersen, Harpoon Employment in Naval Antisurface Warfare (ASUW). Montgomery, AL: Air War College, 1988, pp. 33
[10] Department of Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 1982: Hearings Before the Committee on Armed Services, United States Senate Ninety-Seventh Congress, First Session, on S.815. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1981, pp. 1514
[11] Naval Aviation News May-June 1989 Volume 71, No. 4. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Navy, 1989, pp. 10
[12] Lon Nordeen, Harpoon Missile Vs Surface Ships: US Navy, Libya and Iran, 1986-88. Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey Publishing, 2024, pp. 13
[13] Environmental Assessment: Nonwarhead Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) and Future Model SLAM Firings. Point Mugu: NAWCWD Point Mugu Public Affairs, 1998, pp. 3-5
[14] Hazard Classification of United States Military Explosives and Munitions. McAlester, OK: U.S. Army Defense Ammunition Center Logistics Review and Technical Assistance Office, 2012, pp. 140, 146
[15] Design Characteristics of United States: Cruise Missiles. Monterey, CA: MIIS, 2013
[16] Time Critical Conventional Strike From Strategic Standoff. Washington, D.C.: Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, 2009, pp. 35, 86
[17] Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Modification (MOD)
[18] Weapons Systems Book. PEO Missiles and Space, 2012, pp. 119-120
[19] AGM-84E SLAM. Forecast International, 2011, pp. 2-4
[20] High Expl Guided Missile Warhead
[21] Afghanistan Ordnance Identification Guide. Indian Head, MD: Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division, 2004, pp. 127
[22] SLAM-ER
[23] U.S. Navy Conducts Live Warhead Firing of Boeing SLAM ER. Boeing
[24] Tong Zhao, Conventional Counterforce Strike: an Option for Damage Limitation Operations Against Medium-Sized Nuclear-Armed Adversaries?. Georgia Institute of Technology, pp. 5
[25] SLAM ER Continues to Demonstrate Expanded Response. Boeing
[26] V. Saul and M. Pyrdsa, Test and Evaluation of Container Mk 619 Mod 0 for Harpoon Guidance Section AN/DSQ-28. Colts Neck, NJ: NWS Earle, 1977
[27] Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards: Numerical Listing Part II. Philadelphia, PA: DODISS, 2005, pp. 231
[28] Guided Missile Guidance Section
[29] Harpoon anti-ship missile
[30] Department of Defense Appropriations for 1974: Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, Ninety-Third Congress, First Session. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1978, pp. 662
[31] Tom Clancy, Fighter Wing: A Guided Tour of an Air Force Combat Wing. New York: Berkley Books, 1995, pp. 169
[32] Tom Clancy, Carrier. London, United Kingdom: Penguin Books Ltd., 1999, pp. 165
[33] Carlo Kopp, “Cruise Missile Options for Australia,” Australian Aviation December 2004. North Sydney, Australia: Australian Aviation, 2004, pp. 36
[34] Vision, Presence, Power: A Program Guide to the U.S. Navy. Arlington County, VA: Department of the Navy, 2004, pp. 52-53
[35] Naval Aviation News March-April 1989. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Navy, pp. 31
[36] NAVEDTRA 14097 Fire Controlman Supervisor, pp. 2-15
[37] Tom Clancy, Submarine: A Guided Tour Inside a Nuclear Warship. New York: Berkley Books, 2003, pp. 115
[38] Naval Surface Combatants in the 1990s: Prospects and Possibilities. Washington D.C.: Congressional Budget Office, 1981, pp. 20
[39] All Hands September 1983. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1983, pp. 41
[40] Allen R. Bergeron and Frank E. Sloan, NAVEDTRA 10207-B Fire Control Technican G 3&2. NAS Pensacola, FL: Naval Education and Training Command, 1981, pp. 11-27, 11-28, 11-29
[41] Surface Warfare November/December 1986 Vol. 11, No.6. Washington D.C.: Department of the Navy, 1986, pp. 10
[42] Department of the Navy 1997 Posture Statement. Washington D.C.: Department of the Navy, 1997, pp. 69
[43] NAVEDTRA 14313 Aviation Ordnanceman. NAS Pensacola, FL: NETPDC, 2001, pp. 3-10
[44] Harpoon
[45] Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) AGM/RGM/UGM-84 Harpoon
[46] George M. Siouris, Missile Guidance and Control Systems. New York: Springer, 2006, pp. 523

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I’ve got this;

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Cover;

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It does have phased array antenna?

PESA and a bit later AESA etc isn’t that new.

Almost all nations have anti ship missiles now exccept usa. they need to be added it ASAP to all f18s because it is very unfair

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