AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER

The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response) is an advanced stand off precision-guided, air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the United States Armed Forces and their allies. Developed from the AGM-84E SLAM (Standoff Land Attack Missile) (itself developed by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems from the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon antiship missile), the SLAM-ER is capable of attacking land and sea targets medium to long range (155 nautical miles/270 km maximum). The SLAM-ER relies on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and infrared imaging for its navigation and control, and it can strike both moving and stationary targets.

AGM-84 SLAM-ER
(Standoff Land Attack Missile - Expanded Response)
An F/A-18 Hornet carrying one SLAM-ER missile (top) and two AN/AWW-13 datalink pods (bottom)
TypeLong-range, precise air-launched cruise missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2000–present[1]
Used byUnited States and its allies
WarsGlobal War on Terrorism
Production history
ManufacturerBoeing Company[1]
Unit costUS$3,033,468 (2020)[2]
VariantsAGM-84H (2000–2002)[3]
AGM-84K (2002–present)
Specifications
Mass725 kg (1,598 lb)[1]
Length4.37 m (14.3 ft)[1]
Diameter34.3 cm (13.5 in)[1]
Warhead weight360 kg (800 lb)
EngineTeledyne CAE J402-CA-400[4]
> 600 lbs thrust
Wingspan2.43 m (8.0 ft)[1]
Operational
range
270 kilometres (170 mi)[5]
Maximum speed 855 km/h (531 mph, 0.700 mach)[5]
Guidance
system
inertial navigation system supplemented by the Global Positioning System (GPS)[1]
infrared homing terminal guidance[1]
command guidance data link to controlling aircraft[1]
DSMAC Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA)[3]
Launch
platform
F/A-18C/D Hornet[1]
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet[1]
F-15E Strike Eagle
P-3C Orion[1]
P-8 Poseidon [1]
and allied air forces, including the South Korean Air Force and the Turkish Air Force Past: S-3 Viking,
A-6 Intruder

The SLAM-ER can be remotely controlled while in flight, and it can be redirected to another target after launch if the original target has already been destroyed, or is no longer considered to be dangerous (command guidance).[1][6] The SLAM-ER is a very accurate weapon; as of 2009 it had the best circular error probable (CEP) of any missile used by the U.S. Navy.[1]

History

In 1999, Boeing and the U.S. Navy conducted a live fire of a SLAM-ER from an F/A-18 Hornet on the decommissioned USS Dale (CG-19) off the coast of Puerto Rico.[7]

The SLAM-ER obtained initial operating capability in June 2000. A total of three SLAM-ER missiles were fired by the U.S. Navy during the Iraq War,[8] and the missile was also used during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The General Electric Company provides an Automatic Target Recognition Unit (ATRU) for the SLAM-ER[9] that processes prelaunch and postlaunch targeting data, allows high speed video comparison (DSMAC), and enables the SLAM-ER to be used in a true "fire and forget" manner. It also includes a "man-in-the-loop" mode, where the pilot or weapons system officer can designate the point of impact precisely, even if the target has no distinguishing infrared signature.[6]

It can be launched and controlled by a variety of aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and P-3C Orion, as well as by the U.S. Air Force's F-15E Strike Eagle. Before the retirement of the S-3B Viking, it was also able to launch and control the SLAM-ER. The South Korean air force's version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-15K Slam Eagle, has been capable of launching and controlling the SLAM-ER since 2006 in test exercises.[10]

In 2020, a proposal was put to Congress to allow the sale of the SLAM-ER to Taiwan.[11]

Operators
Map with AGM-84H operators in blue

Current operators

References
  1. "SLAM-ER Missile". The US Navy – Fact File United. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020.
  2. "Contracts For May 13, 2020: NAVY". Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
  3. Parsch, Andreas. "AGM/RGM/UGM-84." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. 2008. Web. 22 July 2013.
  5. "AGM-84 Harpoon / SLAM [Stand-Off Land Attack Missile]." Military Analysis Network. Federation of American Scientists, 22 July 2013. Web. 22 July 2013.
  6. "Boeing SLAM-ER Backgrounder" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012.
  7. Frost, Patricia. "U.S. Navy Conducts Live Warhead Firing of Boeing SLAM ER". Boeing. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  8. Cordesman, Anthony H. The Iraq War: Strategy, Tactics, and Military Lessons. (Washington: CSIS Press, 2003) 296.
  9. "Automatic Target Recognition Unit (ATRU)". Archived from the original on 15 January 2010.
  10. "F-15K Makes History with SLAM-ER Release". 27 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
  11. Wong, Edward (17 September 2020). "U.S. Pushes Large Arms Sale to Taiwan, Including Jet Missiles That Can Hit China". Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  12. "Washington Beef up the Gulf States with 10,000 Strike Weapons Worth US$10 Billion". Defense Update. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  13. "Republic of Korea Chooses Boeing SLAM-ER Missile". Boeing. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  14. "SLAM-ER and Harpoon Foreign Military Sales".

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