AGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is a tactical air-to-surface missile designed for close air support , anti-tank defense and the prevention of enemy troop movements. It can be used against a wide range of tactical targets, such as armored vehicles , air defense , ships , transport facilities and fuel depots. Manufacturers are the US companies Hughes Aircraft and Raytheon . The counterpart to the Maverick from Russian production is the Ch-25 (AS-10 Karen).
Maverick versions
- Maverick A - The AGM-65A was the first production version from 1972. It uses an electro-optical guidance system, the main component of which is a kind of swiveling TV camera in the nose of the rocket. As long as the rocket is still hanging in the frame, it transmits a TV image into the cockpit, which the pilot can use to aim. Alternatively, the camera can also be automatically linked to a target aimed at by the on-board radar. After launch, the rocket flies to the target by trying to zero out the difference between the pan angle of the camera and the direction of movement of the rocket. For the missile, if the target should move, it will move out of the camera's viewfinder. This can be compensated for by always keeping the target centered.
- Maverick B - Model B also has the ability to enlarge the image transmitted to the cockpit to facilitate target acquisition.
- Maverick D - Version D goes back to the US Navy , but is now also used by the Air Force . The TV camera has been replaced by an imaging infrared viewfinder, so the rocket can also be used at night or in bad weather. You can choose between three and six times magnification. The first delivery took place in 1983.
- Maverick E / E2 - The Maverick E is a version for the US Marine Corps and uses laser-assisted steering. In addition to the firing or other aircraft, a ground unit can "illuminate" the target. The missile searches a 7 × 10 mile sector for laser reflections before launch and flies towards it after launch. The E2 has a more precise viewfinder.
- Maverick F - Model F is again an infrared-controlled Navy version, but with a larger WDU-24B warhead (136 kg penetration head instead of 57 kg hollow charge ) and a viewfinder optimized for targeting ships. This no longer uses the infrared images to track the target, but steers directly towards the heat source.
- Maverick G - The Maverick G dates back to 1989 and is also used by the Air Force; in addition to a larger warhead, it has an IR viewfinder adapted from the Model D. However, the searcher and software are optimized for the pursuit of larger goals.
- Maverick H - The H model is the successor to the AGM-65B / D with a CCD viewfinder specially designed for use in desert areas.
- Maverick J - The J model is an AGM-65F with a CCD viewfinder.
- Maverick K - The aim of the Maverick K program is to equip weapons that have been in storage for a long time with new CCD- based viewfinders (as in commercially available video cameras) because the guidance system was expected to age. Originally the program was aimed at the first AGM-65A, but when six of these missiles were sampled, it was surprisingly found that the AGM-65A were in better condition than the younger B, D, and G versions. The reason for this was that the older rockets were protected against corrosion both inside and outside , but the younger rockets were only protected on the outside for reasons of cost and were therefore corroded on the inside. The AGM-65K is optically steered, the target area is shown three times enlarged on a monitor in the cockpit via the video sensor in the seeker head. The shooter now selects the target and then switches on the seeker head.
- Maverick L - The L-model has been manufactured for the USAF since 2012. Like the E2, it is a laser-guided version.
- Robotsystem 75 - Swedish license production.
AGM-65s are typically used by A-10 Thunderbolt II , F-15 Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, such as in the Iraq wars of 1991 and 2003, where they played a major role in combating Iraqi mechanized units . According to the US Air Force, their hit rate is around 85%.
The Bundeswehr procured around 860 AGM-65B for the Air Force from the 1985th
NATO users (as of February 2017)
-
Belgium : AGM-65G with F-16AM / BM -
Greece : With F-4E / E AUP and F-16C / D -
Italy : With AV-8B -
Canada : With CF-188A -
Netherlands : AGM-65G with F-16AM / BM -
Portugal : With F-16A / B / AM / BM -
Romania : With F-16AM / BM -
Spain : With EF-18A -
Czech Republic : With L-159 -
Turkey : With F-4E and F-16C / D -
Hungary : 20 AGM-65H with JAS 39 -
United States : With A-10C, AV-8B, F-15E, F-16C / D, F-18C / D / E / F, P-3C
Technical specifications
| Parameter | AGM-65 data |
|---|---|
| Main function: | Tactical air-to-surface missile |
| Manufacturer: | Hughes Aircraft ; Raytheon Company |
| Length: | 2.49 m |
| Diameter: | 30.5 cm |
| Span: | 0.71 m |
| Takeoff weight: | AGM-65A / B: 207.90 kg, D: 218.25 kg, E / F: 287.4 kg, G: 301.50 kg |
| Drive: | AGM-65A: two-stage solid rocket motor Thiokol TX-481, AGM-65G: TX-633 rocket motor from Orbital ATK |
| Speed: | 1150 km / h |
| Range: | 27 km (effective up to 16 km) |
| Steering: | electro-optical for models A and B; imaging infrared in D and G versions; Laser steering on the e-model; Infrared on model F. |
| Warhead: | WDU-20B 57 kg shaped charge with contact igniter; newer models (F – K) with WDU-24B 136 kg shaped charge and delayed ignition of Orbital ATK |
| Ignition: | Impact / delay fuse |
| Unit cost: | $ 269,000 (AGM-65G), $ 64,100 (AGM-65B) |
| Commissioning: | August 1972 (AGM-65A) with the US Air Force |
Web links
Commons : AGM-65 Maverick - album with pictures, videos and audio files
- AGM-65 at: designation-systems.net
Individual evidence
- ^ A b Maverick Propulsion System & Heavy Warhead . In: orbitalatk.com . Retrieved February 7, 2016.