AGM-114 Hellfire: American missile that can destroy any tank worldwide

Contents

1. What is AGM-114 Hellfire

2. What is known about the Hellfire missile

3. Technical characteristics of AGM-114K

4. AGM-114 Hellfire in Ukraine

5. Special Hellfire for terrorists

What is AGM-114 Hellfire

The AGM-114 Hellfire is an American guided anti-tank missile of the air-to-ground class. It is launched from a concealed position without direct visual contact with the target. Most versions of the AGM-114 use a laser beam for guidance. The exceptions are the AGM-114K and AGM-114H, which have an integrated digital autopilot. The missile can be retargeted after launch to destroy moving targets.

The missile's name carries a double meaning. It stands for HELicopter Launched FIRE-and-forget missile, but it can also be interpreted as "hellish flame."

The development of the AGM-114 began in the 1970s, and the Hellfire entered service in 1984. The missiles were designed as anti-tank weapons for helicopters. Initially manufactured by Rockwell International, the production is now handled by Martin Marietta and The Boeing Company. The missile has been installed on all types of attack helicopters from the 1970s to the present day.

The price of the missile starts at $58,000, and a fully equipped new model can cost over $100,000.

What is known about the Hellfire missile

The Hellfire missile is in service with the U.S. and more than 16 other countries. It was designed to target heavily armored vehicles: military aircraft and helicopters, drones, tanks, and armored personnel carriers. It is also capable of striking fortifications and bunkers.

Depending on the modification, the missile has a varying range, from 7 to 33 kilometers.

The warhead of the AGM-114 weighs 8-9 kg. The letter in the missile's name indicates the warhead version. The K model has a tandem warhead (an explosive or launch device with multiple detonation stages). The M model has an armor-piercing warhead and is used for targeting bunkers, electronic warfare systems, buildings, communications, and bridges. The N model has a warhead with added metal charges.

The L model (Longbow Hellfire) is considered a tank-killer missile. It features a radar-guided system resistant to interference, a range of 9 km, and a 9-kg HEAT warhead.

"Hellfire can be used not only as an air-to-air missile. The AGM-114 air-to-ground version provides precise and powerful strikes on tanks, structures, bunkers, and helicopters. The Hellfire missile can destroy any known tank in the world today," writes Military.com about the American missile.

The Hellfire can be deployed from helicopters (AH-64 Apache), aircraft, drones, ground vehicles (HMMWV), or specialized anti-boat systems.

Technical characteristics of AGM-114K

• Length – 163 cm;
• Diameter – 18 cm;
• Stabilizer span – 33 cm;
• Weight – 46 kg;
• Warhead – 9 kg;
• Minimum range – 0.5 km;
• Direct hit range – 7.1 km;
• Indirect hit range – 8 km;
• Missile speed – 1,235 km/h.

AGM-114 Hellfire in Ukraine

In the summer of 2022, it was revealed that the U.S. planned to sell Ukraine four MQ-1C Grey Eagle drones. This 8-meter-long drone, with a 17-meter wingspan, can carry 4 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The sale of the Grey Eagle drones effectively introduced a cutting-edge, reusable American system into the battlefield against Russia, capable of striking at long distances.

Later, General Atomics, the manufacturer, announced the transfer of MQ-9 drones, also armed with Hellfire missiles. In September of the same year, Norway stated it would transfer 160 Hellfire missiles to Ukraine, which were nearing the end of their service life. These missiles had been planned to be phased out but were instead sent to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

"This is the weapon Ukraine requested, and it will be useful in the fight against the occupying Russian forces. The missile is easy to control and can be used against both ground and sea targets," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram at the time.

In 2023, ArmyInform spoke with operators of the RBS-17 system, which uses AGM-114 missiles.

"In the RBS-17 anti-ship missile system, there are two subsystems: one operates the laser target designator, and the other controls the launch system. The teams work at a distance from each other, maintain radio communication, and upon the commander's order, the laser team initiates the missile launch. The laser subsystem can operate both during the day and at night," explained a military officer with the call sign Bankir.

The team is divided between the launch system, operated by three personnel, and the laser designator (two soldiers). The designator is used to illuminate the target so that the Hellfire missile, with its semi-active laser homing head, can hit the target. For this, the soldiers with the designator must have a direct line-of-sight to the target and maintain reliable communication with the launcher, which is located deeper in the positions and operates from a concealed position. The launched missile flies at an altitude of 100-400 meters and strikes the target from above.

Bankir noted that the system has 100% effectiveness — all AGM-114 Hellfires hit their targets.

"We use Hellfire in the eastern and southern regions. The range of impact is up to 8 kilometers, depending on the firing mode. The targets are usually enemy firing positions, bunkers, or lightly armored vehicles. This applies to the use of high-explosive fragmentation warheads. There are also thermobaric and shaped-charge types," explained the serviceman.

Special Hellfire for terrorists

Interestingly, in 2019, during Donald Trump's first term as U.S. president, the CIA used a special version of the Hellfire missile to eliminate individual terrorists. It is suspected that this weapon was used to kill the then-leader of al-Qaeda, Abu Khayr Al Masri, when he was traveling in a KIA vehicle in Syria in 2017.

These missiles are designed to allow the U.S. government to eliminate specific terrorists and militants with minimal risk of harming nearby individuals. According to War Zone, the missile's warhead was replaced with inert ballast and blades resembling swords that deploy just before reaching the target. The six-blade configuration of the Hellfire R9X missile earned it the nickname "Ninja bomb."