The US quietly delivered high-speed missiles AGM-88 HARM to Ukraine. Why can these weapons easily complicate life for invaders?
A view of the AGM-88 HARM high-speed anti-radiation missile mounted under the wing of the F-4G Phantom II aircraft. Image credit: Scott Stewart, US DoD via WikimediaPublic domain
AGM-88 HARM is an American air-to-ground tactical aircraft anti-radiation The missile targets ground-based air defense radar systems, which operate on electronic signals emitted in the form of radio waves. As for radar, the emission of radio waves is inevitable, and for this reason the AGM-88 HARM becomes the ‘familiar enemy’ of any type of radio navigation device. Requires only a minimal human input.
The presence of such missiles in the armed forces of Ukraine has caused problems for the Russian air defense radars needed to protect the invading forces from Ukrainian helicopters and planes. Enemy radars used to detect Ukrainian artillery, including multiple multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), now also face a new danger.
Publications on Business Insider Note that the Pentagon confirmed the delivery of HARM systems to Ukraine after Russian observers reported the first findings of debris originating from these missiles.
HARM is a powerful weapon, but not a new weapon. In fact, the first version of the AGM-88 was designed in 1983, and was first used in real combat after that in 1986. It was one of the key weapons in combat. Operation Desert Storm during that time Persian Gulf War of 1991. A total of 15 countries currently use this weapon in their militaries.
AGM-88 is an improved descendant of AGM-45 Shrike was used during the Vietnam War. During the development of HARM, many shortcomings were corrected. Compared to its predecessor, the AGM-88 has an extended range, while its automatic guidance system covers a wider range of detectable radar frequencies.
Once the source of the radio signal is detected, the HARM ‘remembers’ the original target position even if the radar stops working. It also has an impressive maximum range of 150 km and the missile can be fired from a variety of launchers, including those used on aircraft. F-15E, F 16, F / A-18, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35and others.
The HARM rocket weighs 355 kg (783 lb), while its length is 4.1 m. The weight of the warhead is 66 kg (146 lb). Top speed reached 2,280 km/h (1,420 mph) (Mach 1.84). A single one costs US$284,000.
Interestingly, the US military is currently using even more advanced versions of this weapon. For example, the AGM-88G AARGM-ER modification uses the existing warhead and guidance system, but the airframe is slightly redesigned and the propulsion system is replaced with a solidly integrated missile-ramjet effectively doubles the range (up to 300 km). The top speed of this model reaches Mach 4.
HARM will help Ukraine target the Russians jet radar track ballistics and missiles in flight, calculate their trajectories and pinpoint the launch device and rocket launcher that launched them.
