Washington DC (Transatlantic Today) — The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-ground missile (AGM). This missile was first developed for anti-armor use. It was later developed for precision and was used in drone strikes against other target types. The high-value targets can be hit with the help of this missile. The missile was developed under the name Heliborne laser, a fire-and-forget missile. This is why the missile has been named “Hellfire” The Hellfire missile weighs 100 pounds (45 kg) and is a class air-to-ground precision weapon. It has been frequently used by the armed forces of the United States and many other nations.
Buyers
The following nations use AGM-114 Hellfire:
Australia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom.
Recent Use In Battlefield
In 2009, the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) purchased this missile. They used it for the Army Air Corps (AAC) and used the AGM-114 Hellfire missiles against Taliban forces in Afghanistan. The MoD revealed that 20 missiles were used in 2008. Some 20 missiles were used in 2009.
The AGM-114 is used as an air-to-air missile. Israeli airspace took off this missile from Lebanon, with unknown intentions. The Israeli Air Force AH-64A used the missile to fire the Cessna, which resulted in complete disintegration.
AGM-114 Hellfire missiles killed Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin in the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in 2004. It was later used by the US military to kill American-born Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen. On 10 February 2018, the Iranian UAV entered Israeli airspace from Syria and launched a Hellfire missile at the UAV.
In January 2016 The Wall Street Journal revealed that the training missile without a warhead was shipped to Cuba in 2014. The US army stated that it was the “dummy” version of the Lockheed system and Captive Air Training Missile”.
Specifications
AGM-114 missiles specifications are as follows:
- 1.63-1.75 m in length
- 0.178 m in diameter
- Weight: 45-48.5 kg
- Range of 7-11 km
- Speed: subsonic speeds to a maximum of Mach 1.3 (450 m/s)
FAQS
1. How Effective Is The Hellfire Missile?
The Hellfire missile comes with a lot of power and can defeat any unknown tank in the world today. This missile can target either from inside the aircraft or also uses lasers outside the aircraft.
2. How Does AGM 114 Hellfire Work?
The AGM-114 is a fire-and-forget weapon. This missile is equipped with the millimeter-wave (MMW) and does active radar homing. The missile requires no further guidance after it has been launched. It can lock on to its target and can hit the target without the launcher. There is also another friendly unit that is attached in the line of sight.
3. How Much Does A Hellfire Cost?
The cost of a Hellfire missile is estimated to be around $150,000 per missile. It has been manufactured by Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. If you are looking to buy a single medium to the long-range subsonic Tomahawk cruise missile, then it will cost you around $1.5 million. The 50kg air-to-ground Hellfire rocket can cost as much as $115,000 each.
4. Can A Hellfire Missile Take Out A tank?
Hellfire missile is just five feet long, and seven inches wide. It weighs approximately 100 pounds and could kill tanks at ranges of up to five miles. The U.S. Army has carried up to sixteen of the missiles at a time.
5. How Is Hellfire Missile Targeted?
The Hellfire missile is the largest laser-targeted Hellfire missile. It is carried by drones and can be used in various strikes. It releases in the air from an MQ-9’s wings, and the motor equipped with it aboard the missile. This missile is marked by a laser aboard and is controlled from the ground.
6. What Will Replace The Hellfire Missile?
After four decades of service, the legendary Hellfire missile will soon have a replacement. It is o the way and is expected to be replaced by Lockheed Martin’s AGM-179. It will be a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The U.S. Army has approved the JAGM and has allowed it for a full-rate production
Read More: AGM-88 HARM: Specifications, Buyers & Recent Use In Battlefield
7. How Far Can A Hellfire Missile Travel?
Hellfire missiles can travel up to seven to 11 kilometers. The missile is powered up by a solid propellant rocket motor and allows you to reach an operational range of between four to seven miles without any interruptions.
