AGM-122 Sidearm

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AGM-122 Sidearm

Type Anti-radiation missile
Service history
In service 1986
Production history
Manufacturer Motorola
Specifications
Weight 185 lb (88 kg)
Length 9 ft 5 in (2.87 m)
Diameter 5 in (127 mm)

Warhead 25 lb (11 kg) WDU-31/B blast-fragmentation

Engine Hercules Mk 36 Mod 11 solid fuel rocket
Wingspan 24.8 in (630 mm)
Operational
range
18,000 yards (16.5 km)
Speed Mach 2.5
Guidance
system
Broad-band passive radar seeker.
Launch
platform
F-14 Tomcat
AH-1 Super Cobra
AH-64 Apache
Other aircraft

The AGM-122 Sidearm was an American air-to-surface anti-radiation missile.

Contents

[edit] Development

The AGM-122 Sidearm was produced by the remanufacture of AIM-9C missiles which had been taken out of service. The AIM-9C was a semi-active radar homing variant of the Sidewinder, developed for the US Navy's Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader, but used for only a limited period of time. Sidearm was first tested in 1981. In 1984 Motorola was issued a contract to convert and upgrade AIM-9Cs to AGM-122A standard. A total of about 700 was produced between 1986 and 1990.

Existing stocks of Sidearm have been depleted, and the missile is no longer in service. Proposals for new-build missiles, under the designation AGM-122B, have not been proceeded with to date.

The AGM-122 was less capable than newer ARMs like the AGM-88 HARM, but also substantially cheaper, and its lighter weight enabled it to be carried by combat helicopters as well as fighter aircraft and fighter bombers.

[edit] Specifications

  • Length: 2.87 m (113 in)
  • Finspan: 0.63 m (24.8 in)
  • Diameter: 12.7 cm (5 in)
  • Weight: 88 kg (185 lb)
  • Guidance: Broad-band passive radar seeker.
  • Warhead: 11 kg (25 lb) WDU-31/B blast-fragmentation.
  • Propulsion: Hercules MK 36 MOD 11 solid-fuel rocket.
  • Speed: Mach 2.3
  • Range: 16.5 km (18,000 yd)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links