The Harpoon is a standout among anti-ship missiles, with approximately 7,500 units produced and in use by over 30 countries, including the United States and South Korea.
During the Cold War, the naval rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union saw the Soviet fleet equipped with powerful anti-ship missiles that could strike targets hundreds of kilometers away. In response, the U.S. Navy initiated the development of a new air-to-ship rocket in 1965, naming it “Harpoon”—a nod to the traditional whaling harpoon.
A dramatic event in October 1967 underscored the urgency to improve anti-ship missile technology during the Third Middle Eastern War. The Egyptian Navy used a Soviet-developed Styx missile to sink the Israeli Navy’s Eilat destroyer, demonstrating the effectiveness of Soviet anti-ship technology. This incident compelled the U.S. Navy to accelerate its missile development, leading to the creation of the Harpoon, which completed its first test launch in October 1972.
The Harpoon missile represents a key advancement in anti-ship-guided weaponry. It can be launched from surface ships, submarines, aircraft, and land-based platforms. Using active and semi-active guidance systems, the missile employs autopilot for flight and impact targets.
The Harpoon uses an inertial navigation system (INS) for mid-course guidance, while terminal guidance relies on active radar to track targets. A jet engine powers it. The missile has several variants: the ‘RGM-84’ for surface and land launches, the UGM-84 for submarine launches, and the AGM-84 for air launches. The Harpoon ranges from 55 to 196 miles, depending on the model. The Republic of Korea’s Navy and Air Force utilize these versions from their surface ships, submarines, aircraft, and land-based launch systems.
Harpoon Missile Evolution: From Early Models to Advanced Block-II
The Harpoon missile has seen several updates since its inception, each enhancing its capabilities. The Block-IA version of the RGM-84, which began service with the U.S. Navy in 1977, featured a radar seeker, inertial guidance system, and a small turbojet engine. It could reach speeds of Mach 0.85 and had a range of 57 miles. The introduction of the Block-IB in 1982 brought a significant advancement: sea-skimming capability, which lowered its altitude during the mid-course phase to reduce detection.
The Block-IC, the most widely deployed version globally, improved on its predecessors with an increased range of 77 miles and the ability to follow a maneuvering flight path. It also featured enhanced electronic countermeasures (ECCM) to handle electronic warfare threats better.
The Block-ID, used exclusively by the U.S. Navy, extended the missile’s range to 149 miles by increasing the body length for greater fuel capacity. This version also introduced reattack capabilities, allowing it to engage targets effectively. The Block-IG, developed for international sales, incorporated the reattack feature from the Block-IDut retained the other specifications of the Block-IC.
The latest development, Block II, represents a significant leap forward. It includes advanced seeker technology tailored for coastal operations and integrates GPS to minimize flight errors during the mid-course phase. These upgrades allow the ‘Block-II’ to perform selective strikes and adjust its targets mid-flight, making it effective against both sea and land-based targets, including fixed installations at naval bases.
AGM-84 Harpoon: Air-Launched and Land-Attack Variants
The air-launched AGM-84 Harpoon missile was first integrated into the U.S. Navy’s P-3C maritime patrol aircraft in 1979 and later into the U.S. Air Force’s B-52H bombers in 1983. South Korea also employs this version on its Navy’s P-3C patrol aircraft and the Air Force’s F-15K fighter jets. Within the air-launched category, the AGM-84G is further divided into AGM-84 Block-IG and AGM-84 Block-III.
Unlike the ship—and land-launched versions, air-launched missiles like the AGM-84G start with kinetic or potential energy from the aircraft, eliminating the need for a booster to achieve initial acceleration. The ‘Block-IG’ version features enhanced reattack capabilities and improved electronic countermeasures (ECCM) compared to earlier iterations.
Before launch, the aircraft inputs radar data into the missile’s inertial navigation system (INS), guiding it to the target during the mid-course phase. In the terminal phase, the missile’s onboard radar activates active radar homing (ARH), allowing it to target enemy ships accurately.
The AGM-84 ‘Block-II’ is an upgraded version of the Block-IG. It maintains the same airframe and turbojet engine but includes advanced mission computers, GPS receivers, and antennas for improved performance. Notably, the Block-II version incorporates GPS guidance during the mid-course phase for more precise targeting and features noise cancellation capabilities for its onboard radar in the terminal phase.
Land-Attack Version
The land-attack variant of the Harpoon missile designated RGM-84, is also in service and can strike enemy ships approaching from the coast. Although the anti-ship and land-attack models share an identical designation, their launch mechanisms and operational contexts differ.
The land-attack version is deployed using ground-based systems. It includes launchers, trailer control vans, and loading trucks. The missile is the same as the anti-ship variant, but the land-based system requires a booster for initial acceleration due to its stationary pre-launch position. The launch system typically features a control van managing two launchers, each with four cylindrical canisters. The loading truck is equipped with a crane and four canisters for missile handling.
Submarine-Launched Harpoon Missiles: UGM-84
The U.S. Navy introduced the submarine-launched UGM-84 Harpoon missile to its fleet of major submarines in 1981. Unlike other variants of the Harpoon missile, the UGM-84 is stored in specially designed capsules, earning it the nickname “Encapsulated Harpoon.”
In operation, the missile is launched from a submarine’s torpedo tube using compressed air to propel the capsule containing the missile to the surface. The capsule is positively buoyant, allowing it to rise after exiting the tube. Once it reaches the surface, a sensor activates, opening the capsule’s top lid and igniting the missile’s booster to propel it into flight.
The UGM-84 Harpoon travels at speeds of Mach 0.85 and can strike enemy ships over 87 miles away. This deployment method enables submarines to maintain their stealth while the missile’s rapid speed and low sea-skimming trajectory make it challenging for enemy vessels to detect and counter. This combination of stealth and speed enhances the missile’s effectiveness in attacking surface targets.
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