User Guide

LONGBOW 2
7.16
Hellfire Missile
PUBLICATION
Jane’s Armour And Artillery
Upgrades 1995-96
SECTION
Vehicle-Mounted Anti-Tank
Guided Weapons
TITLE
Rockwell Hellfire Modular Missile
System
COMPANIES
Rockwell International, Tactical Systems Division Martin Marietta Orlando
Aerospace.
DESCRIPTION
The AGM-114 Hellfire modular multipurpose missile system is currently in service
in several semi-active laser guided configurations with the US armed forces and
several other nations. The fielded missile has a minimum range of 500m and a
maximum range of 5000 to 8000m.Hellfire was originally developed as the main
weapon for the McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, the SAL
guidance being matched to its tactical employment concepts as both it and the
OH-58D/AHIP scout helicopter each have Hellfire compatible lasers. The available
engagement options are called the auto-nomous engagement mode and the co-
operative engagement mode, depending upon whether the launch platform or the
scout marks the target. The term “remote lasing” is synonymous with the co-
operative engagement mode.
Hellfire uses pulse coded laser illumination at the 1.06 æm wavelength so that the
missile will only lock on to what it is supposed to. As a result, Hellfire can be fired
before a lock on has been achieved, with target acquisition being achieved in
flight. Alternatively, it can be inhibited from igniting its motor until after a lock on
has been achieved.
The Hellfire is currently fielded in the following versions:
(a) AGM-114A – first production model
(b) AGM-114B – US Marine Corps Hellfire with Improved Low Visibility (ILV)
autopilot for low visibility conditions; minimum smoke rocket motor; ship-
board-qualified Safe and Arm Device (SAD) for rocket motor
(c) AGM-114C – same as AGM-114B except without USMC SAD unit
(d) AGM-114F – same as AGM-114C except fitted with a precursor warhead
charge to provide tandem warhead configuration
(e) Anti-ship Hellfire – a model C fitted with an anti-ship penetrating blast fragmen-
tation warhead plus some slight autopilot modifications.