AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER
The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response) is an advanced stand off precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the United States Armed Forces and their allies. Developed from the AGM-84E SLAM (Standoff Land Attack Missile, itself developed by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems from the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon antiship missile), the SLAM-ER is capable of attacking land and sea targets medium to long range (over 155 nautical miles/270 km maximum).[7] The SLAM-ER relies on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and infrared imaging for its navigation and control, and it can strike both moving and stationary targets.
| AGM-84K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response) | |
|---|---|
An F/A-18 Hornet carrying one SLAM-ER missile (top) and two AN/AWW-13 datalink pods (bottom) | |
| Type | Long-range, precise air-launched air-to-ground standoff cruise missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2000–present[1] |
| Used by | United States and its allies |
| Wars | Global War on Terrorism |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Boeing[1] |
| Unit cost | US$500,000–3,033,468 (2020)[2][3] |
| Variants | AGM-84H (2000–2)[4] AGM-84K (2002–present) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 674.5 kg (1,487 lb)[1] |
| Length | 4.37 m (14.3 ft)[1] |
| Diameter | 34.3 cm (13.5 in)[1] |
| Wingspan | 2.43 m (8.0 ft)[1] |
| Warhead | WDU-40/B penetrating BF |
| Warhead weight | 360 kg (800 lb) |
| Engine | Teledyne CAE J402-CA-400[5] > 600 lbf (2.7 kN) thrust |
Operational range | 270 kilometres (170 mi)[6] |
| Maximum speed | 855 km/h (531 mph, 0.700 Mach)[6] |
Guidance system | Inertial navigation system supplemented by the Global Positioning System (GPS)[1] Infrared homing terminal guidance[1] Command guidance data link to controlling aircraft[1] DSMAC Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA)[4] |
Launch platform | F/A-18C/D Hornet[1] F/A-18E/F Super Hornet[1] F-15E Strike Eagle P-3C Orion[1] P-8 Poseidon[1] and allied air forces, including the South Korean Air Force and the Turkish Air Force Past: S-3 Viking, A-6 Intruder |
The SLAM-ER can be remotely controlled while in flight, and it can be redirected to another target after launch if the original target has already been destroyed, or is no longer considered to be dangerous (command guidance).[1][8] The SLAM-ER is a very accurate weapon; as of 2009 it had the best circular error probable (CEP) of any missile used by the U.S. Navy.[1]
History Edit
In 1999, Boeing and the U.S. Navy conducted a live fire of a SLAM-ER from an F/A-18 Hornet on the decommissioned USS Dale (CG-19) off the coast of Puerto Rico.[9]
The SLAM-ER obtained initial operating capability in June 2000. A total of three SLAM-ER missiles were fired by the U.S. Navy during the Iraq War,[10] and the missile was also used during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
The General Electric Company provides an Automatic Target Recognition Unit (ATRU) for the SLAM-ER[11] that processes prelaunch and postlaunch targeting data, allows high speed video comparison (DSMAC), and enables the SLAM-ER to be used in a true "fire and forget" manner. It also includes a "man-in-the-loop" mode, where the pilot or weapons system officer can designate the point of impact precisely, even if the target has no distinguishing infrared signature.[8]
It can be launched and controlled by a variety of aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-16 Block 50+ and P-3C Orion, as well as by some F-15E Strike Eagle. The S-3B Viking was also able to launch and control the SLAM-ER. The South Korean Air Force's version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-15K Slam Eagle, has been capable of launching and controlling the SLAM-ER since 2006 in test exercises.[12]
In 2020, a proposal was put to Congress to allow the sale of the SLAM-ER to Taiwan.[13]
Operators Edit
References Edit
- ^ "Contracts For May 13, 2020: Navy". Defense. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
- ^ "SLAM-ER Missile". Navy.
- ^ a b Parsch, Andreas. "AGM/RGM/UGM-84." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. 2008. 22 July 2013.
- ^ https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/navy/ntsp/agm-84-d_2002.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwin7YmQtr3gAhXyQ98KHX12CWMQFjAGegQIDBAB&usg=AOvVaw2_aG8taXAo2pLyFPfF7k-9[dead link]
- ^ a b "AGM-84 Harpoon / SLAM [Stand-Off Land Attack Missile]." Military Analysis Network. Federation of American Scientists, 22 July 2013. Web. 22 July 2013.
- ^ Kelly, Katie (October 2015). "Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER)" (PDF). Boeing. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
- ^ a b (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012.
- ^ Frost, Patricia. "U.S. Navy Conducts Live Warhead Firing of Boeing SLAM ER". Boeing. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ^ Cordesman, Anthony H. The Iraq War: Strategy, Tactics, and Military Lessons. (Washington: CSIS Press, 2003) 296.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 15 January 2010.
- ^ . 27 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
- ^ Wong, Edward (17 September 2020). "U.S. Pushes Large Arms Sale to Taiwan, Including Jet Missiles That Can Hit China". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
- ^ a b "Washington Beef up the Gulf States with 10,000 Strike Weapons Worth US$10 Billion". Defense Update. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ . Boeing. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ "SLAM-ER and Harpoon Foreign Military Sales". www.deagel.com.
- ^ Chuanren, Chen. "U.S. Approves SLAM-ER and MS-110 Pods for Taiwan". Aviation International News.
External links Edit
- . The US Navy – Fact File United. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020.
- Boeing (McDonnell-Douglas) AGM/RGM/UGM-84 Harpoon, Designation Systems
- . Archived from the original on 22 September 2012.