Raytheon (Hughes) AGM-65 Maverick

From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine

History

The AGM-65 Maverick was the first general purpose fire-and-forget tactical air-to-ground missile in service with the United States Air Force. It was produced in very large numbers, and its later versions will remain in the U.S. inventory for some time in the future. Development of the Maverick began in 1965, triggered by the bad performance of the AGM-12 Bullpup in South-East Asia. Rockwell and Hughes designed missiles for the ZAGM-65A Maverick requirement, and in 1968 Hughes was selected as prime contractor. The first unguided XAGM-65A prototype flew in September 1969, and in December that year the first guided launch resulted in a direct hit. In August 1972, the first production AGM-65A missiles were delivered to the United States Air Force.

Variants

AGM-65A

Initial, TV guided, version. The AGM-65A is a relatively small missile powered by a Thiokol TX-481 (SR109-TC-1) dual-thrust solid-fueled rocket motor. It uses an electro-optical (TV) guidance system. The picture of a TV camera in the nose of the missile is displayed on a screen in the cockpit. When the pilot has selected a target, the TV image is "locked" in the missile's seeker logic, and the Maverick is fired. After launch, the AGM-65A homes on the target by constantly matching the TV camera image to the locked target image. The 57 kg (125 lb) WDU-20/B forward-firing conical shaped charge warhead for armour penetration is detonated by an impact fuze. The accuracy of the AGM-65A is reported as about 1.5 m (5 ft) CEP.

AGM-65B

The AGM-65B used scene-magnifying optics doubling the image resolution. This allowed the engagement of smaller or more distant targets. Development of the AGM-65B began in 1975, and the missiles were delivered during the late 1970s. Production of the AGM-65A/B TV guided Mavericks ended in 1978 after more than 35,000 missiles had been built. Same 125 lbs warhead as in AGM-65A. Swedish local designation for AGM-65A/B is Rb.75.

AGM-65C

The AGM-65C was to be a semi-active laser guided version for the United States Marine Corps. It was intended for close air support, and was equipped with a heavier 113 kg (250 lb) MK 19 blast-fragmentation warhead. Full-scale development began in 1978, but only a few AGM-65C missiles were built and the program was eventually cancelled because of high costs. The United States Marine Corps's laser-guided Maverick requirement was later satisfied with the AGM-65E.

AGM-65D

The AGM-65D "IIR Maverick" is a derivative of the AGM-65A and replaces the latter's TV guidance section with a WGU-10/B imaging infrared (IIR) seeker (the same seeker is also used in the GBU-15(V)2/B glide bomb and the AGM-84E SLAM). This seeker has almost twice the lock-on range of the AGM-65A, and allows effective use of the missile at night or in bad weather. Development of the AGM-65D began in 1977, and the first missiles were delivered to the United States Air Force in October 1983, with IOC (Initial Operational Capability) achieved in February 1986. The AGM-65D was also the first variant to be produced with a new reduced-smoke Thiokol TX-633 (SR114-TC-1) motor (alternative motor was an Aerojet SR115-AJ-1) in the WPU-4/B propulsion section. The AGM-65D-2 is an upgraded version with a faster seeker for higher accuracy and moving target tracking. Same 125 lbs warhead as in AGM-65A.

AGM-65E

When the AGM-65C was cancelled, development of a "Laser Maverick" for the United States Marine Corps switched to the AGM-65E, whose WGU-9/B laser guidance section is cheaper than the AGM-65C's. The AGM-65E uses a heavy 136 kg (300 lb) WDU-24/B penetrating blast-fragmentation warhead, which is triggered by a FMU-135/B delayed impact fuze. This warhead is optimized for larger, reinforced targets such as command bunkers. The AGM-65E also features a reduced-smoke rocket motor in a WPU-8/B propulsion section, and entered United States Marine Corps service in 1985. The CATM-65E is a captive-carry training version of the AGM-65E.

AGM-65F

The United States Navy's "IIR Maverick" is designated AGM-65F. It uses the IIR seeker of the AGM-65D in combination with the warhead and propulsion sections of the AGM-65E. It also features a SAD (Safing/Arming Device) for safer shipboard use. The AGM-65F has also a slightly different seeker software for optimum performance against surface ships. The CATM-65F captive-carry training version replaces the WGU-10/B guidance section with a WGU-13/B. The AGM-65F-2 is an upgraded version with a faster seeker for higher accuracy and moving target tracking.

AGM-65G

The AGM-65G is an improved "IIR Maverick" for the United Stated Air Force. It is based on the AGM-65D, but uses the heavy warhead and fuze of the AGM-65E/F because it is especially designed for use against hardened tactical targets. The AGM-65G also has a new digital autopilot and improved tracking and target selection options. The new autopilot allows the operator to select a lower trajectory to prevent break of lock in clouds. The AGM-65G entered operational service with the United States Air Force in 1989. The AGM-65G-2 is a -65G with the guidance software replaced by a modified version of the AGM-65F's software. Like the AGM-65D-2, the G-2 also has a faster seeker for higher accuracy and moving target tracking. Training missile is designated TGM-65G.

AGM-65H

The designation AGM-65H was assigned to AGM-65B/D missiles upgraded with the new CCD TV seeker. It was originally planned to convert many old AGM-65Bs and -65Ds to AGM-65H standard, but these plans were apparently cancelled in favour of the AGM-65K. Same 125 lbs warhead as in AGM-65A. The CATM-65H is the captive-carry training version of the AGM-65H.

AGM-65J

The AGM-65J designation applies to United States Navy AGM-65F missiles rebuilt with the CCD seeker. Exported as AGM-65JX.

AGM-65K

The AGM-65K is an AGM-65G upgraded with the CCD seeker. At least 1,200, but possibly up to 2,500, AGM-65G rounds are planned for conversion to AGM-65K standard. The CATM-65K is the captive-carry training version of the AGM-65K.

AGM-65L

In the mid-to-late 1990s, Raytheon proposed a Maverick development called "Longhorn". This was to feature many significant improvements, including a data link (for optional lock-on after launch), additional turbojet sustainer propulsion (for increased range of up to 75 km (46 miles)), GPS/INS in-flight navigation, and mm-wave radar or IIR terminal seeker. However, the "Longhorn" was not developed. The designation AGM-65L is unofficially associated with a proposed Maverick development with a new tandem (boost/sustain) motor, stealth characteristics, a two-way datalink, IIR guidance and automatic target acquisition technology.

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