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AGM-114 Hellfire Modular Missile System (HMMS)

The AGM-114 HELLFIRE (HELicopter Launched FIRE and forget) missile is an antiarmor air-to-ground weapon which uses a shaped charge warhead to defeat hard point targets with minimal exposure of the launch helicopter to enemy fire. The first three generations of HELLFIRE missiles use a laser seeker. Guidance is provided through automatic terminal homing on laser signals reflected from a laser designated target. The fourth generation, Longbow HELLFIRE, uses a radar frequency seeker.

The Hellfire Air-to-Ground Missile System (AGMS) provides heavy anti-armor capability for attack helicopters. For antiarmor roles, the AGM-114 missile has a conical shaped charge warhead with a copper liner cone that forms the jet that provides armor penetration. This high explosive, antitank warhead is effective against various types of armor including appliqué and reactive. Actual penetration performance is classified. It can also be employed against concrete bunkers and similar fortifications. The AGM-114M version uses a Blast Fragmentation Warhead (BFW) which is designed to defeat a general class of targets represented by ships, deck mounted weapon systems, light armored vehicles and light bunkers by a combination of fragmentation and blast effects.

The Hellfire Modular Missile System (HMMS) provides accurate fire on targets acquired and designated by ground observers or airborne laser target designators. The HMMS, AGM-114B Hellfire, AGM-114K Hellfire II, and AGM-114M, also referred to in this document individually, were designed primarily for destruction of hardened targets during day or night operations, with sufficient standoff range to permit minimal exposure to enemy fire by the delivery helicopter. The AGM-114B, AGM-114K, and AGM-114M provide accurate fire on targets acquired and designated by ground observers or an airborne laser target designator. The AGM-114B, AGM-114K and AGM-114M are intended for use by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) AH-1W Helicopter and by the United States Navy (USN) H-60 Armed-Helicopter Program (utilizing the HH-60H and SH-60B platforms). The AGM-114B and AGM-114K are cleared for shipboard use, and AGM-114M was cleared in October 2000.

The Hellfire Modular Missile System (HMMS) provides accurate fire on targets acquired and designated by ground observers or airborne laser target designators. The HMMS is intended for use by the United States Navy (USN) H-60 Armed-Helicopter Program (HH-60H and SH-60B), and United States Marine Corps (USMC) AH-1W Helicopters.

The HMMS consists of three configurations; the AGM-114B Hellfire, AGM-114K Hellfire II, and AGM-114M tactical missiles. The HMMS is an anti-armor terminal homing weapon, which uses a shaped charge warhead on the AGM-114B/K versions to defeat individual hardpoint targets with a minimal exposure to enemy fire by the delivery helicopter. The AGM-114M version uses a Blast Fragmentation Warhead (BFW) designed to defeat a general class of targets represented by ships, deck mounted weapon systems, light armored vehicles, and light bunkers by a combination of fragmentation and blast effects.

The external configuration of the AGM-114B, AGM-114K, and AGM-114M are the same. The AGM-114K is an enhancement of the original AGM-114B. Enhancements include an Electro-optical Countermeasure hardened target guidance section, a digital autopilot function, an anti-reactive armor warhead, and an Electronic Safe, Arm, Fire Device for the warheads. The AGM-114M is basically an AGM-114K with the forward warhead removed and a BFW inserted as the main warhead. There is also a modified Electronic Safe, Arm, Fire Device.

The HMMS, AGM-114B Hellfire, AGM-114K Hellfire II, and AGM-114M were designed primarily for destruction of hardened targets during day or night operations, with sufficient standoff range to permit minimal exposure to enemy fire by the delivery helicopter. The AGM-114B, AGM-114K, and AGM-114M provide accurate fire on targets acquired and designated by ground observers or an airborne laser target designator. The AGM-114B, AGM-114K and AGM-114M are intended for use by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) AH-1W Helicopter and by the United States Navy (USN) H-60 Armed-Helicopter Program (utilizing the HH-60H and SH-60B platforms).

The U.S. Army is the executive service for development of the AGM-114 (series) missiles with the Navy and Marine Corps designated as participating services.




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