AGM-130
Encyclopedia
The AGM-130 is a missile developed by the United States of America.
designed for strikes at long range against various targets. It is essentially a rocket-boosted version of the GBU-15
bomb, with the rocket motor increasing the launch range and so giving the launch aircraft protection from whatever defenses may protect the target. Two can be carried by the F-15E.
The weapon utilizes inertial navigation aided by the Global Positioning System
(GPS). It can be retargeted in flight; the guidance head of the weapon provides a visual image of the target to the launch aircraft via the AXQ-14 data link, allowing the controller to steer it to the target. The weapon can be retargeted in flight by simply steering it to a new target. Control can be released at any point, allowing the missile to home in on the target by itself. The AGM-130 is highly accurate, and is intended for use against high value targets which are either slow moving or of fixed location.
The GBU-15 is a modular weapon, and the AGM-130 continues this concept. It consists of a CCD
TV or focal plane array imaging infrared seeker head, a radar altimeter, wings, strakes, a Mark 84
or BLU-109 warhead, a control section, and a rocket motor and data link unit.
The AGM-130 needs little support on the ground, and can be based in remote "bare base" sites. What support and maintenance is required can be provided by mobile support equipment and intermediate level maintenance capability.
Development of the AGM-130A began in 1984 as an improvement to the GBU-15. The first unit became operational in 1994. Precise numbers are classified, but the US Air Force planned to buy 4,000+ originally. This was reduced to 2,300 units, and in 1995 further reduced to 502.
Development of the AGM-130 cost $192 million, not including a further $11 million for the AGM-130C. Unit cost of the weapons are an estimated $884,279.
, North Carolina
, fired one weapon each.
The AGM-130LW [lightweight] is designed to be used by single-seat aircraft such as the F-16C/D. It also has an enhanced global positioning and inertial navigation system capability. The smaller, less powerful warhead used on this weapon allows better control over collateral damage.
The AGM-130C employed a 2,000-pound penetrating warhead for use against hardened targets. It was developed, but not put into service.
The Autonomous AGM-130 is a proposed weapon that would incorporate a laser radar (LADAR) seeker, removing any need for the weapon to be steered to the target. The aircraft interface would be based on the JDAM interface; use of the autonomous seeker would greatly reduce the mission planning requirements and aircrew workload. Elimination of the datalink would also reduce the susceptibility to countermeasures.
, Serbia
.
Overview
The AGM-130 is a powered air-to-surface missileAir-to-surface missile
An air-to-surface missile is a missile designed to be launched from military aircraft and strike ground targets on land, at sea, or both...
designed for strikes at long range against various targets. It is essentially a rocket-boosted version of the GBU-15
GBU-15
Guided Bomb Unit 15 is an unpowered, glide weapon used to destroy high-value enemy targets. It was designed for use with F-15E Strike Eagle, F-111 'Aardvark' and F-4 Phantom II aircraft, but the United States Air Force is currently only deploying it from the F-15E. The GBU-15 has long-range...
bomb, with the rocket motor increasing the launch range and so giving the launch aircraft protection from whatever defenses may protect the target. Two can be carried by the F-15E.
The weapon utilizes inertial navigation aided by the Global Positioning System
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
(GPS). It can be retargeted in flight; the guidance head of the weapon provides a visual image of the target to the launch aircraft via the AXQ-14 data link, allowing the controller to steer it to the target. The weapon can be retargeted in flight by simply steering it to a new target. Control can be released at any point, allowing the missile to home in on the target by itself. The AGM-130 is highly accurate, and is intended for use against high value targets which are either slow moving or of fixed location.
The GBU-15 is a modular weapon, and the AGM-130 continues this concept. It consists of a CCD
Charge-coupled device
A charge-coupled device is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time...
TV or focal plane array imaging infrared seeker head, a radar altimeter, wings, strakes, a Mark 84
Mark 84 bomb
The Mark 84 is an American general-purpose bomb, it is also the largest of the Mark 80 series of weapons. Entering service during the Vietnam War, it became a commonly used US heavy unguided bomb to be dropped, second only to the BLU-82 "Daisy Cutter" then in service and presently third only to...
or BLU-109 warhead, a control section, and a rocket motor and data link unit.
The AGM-130 needs little support on the ground, and can be based in remote "bare base" sites. What support and maintenance is required can be provided by mobile support equipment and intermediate level maintenance capability.
Development of the AGM-130A began in 1984 as an improvement to the GBU-15. The first unit became operational in 1994. Precise numbers are classified, but the US Air Force planned to buy 4,000+ originally. This was reduced to 2,300 units, and in 1995 further reduced to 502.
Development of the AGM-130 cost $192 million, not including a further $11 million for the AGM-130C. Unit cost of the weapons are an estimated $884,279.
Variants
The upgraded AGM-130 Mid-Course Guidance (MCG) weapon, employs an improved global positioning and inertial navigation system. This allows the weapon to be used with less input from the launch aircraft, freeing the pilot and weapon systems officer for other tasks. The weapon became operational in 1998 when two F-15Es from the 335th and 336th Fighter Squadrons at Seymour Johnson Air Force BaseSeymour Johnson Air Force Base
Seymour Johnson Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located to the southeast of Goldsboro, North Carolina. The base is named for Navy test pilot Seymour Johnson, a native of Goldsboro...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, fired one weapon each.
The AGM-130LW [lightweight] is designed to be used by single-seat aircraft such as the F-16C/D. It also has an enhanced global positioning and inertial navigation system capability. The smaller, less powerful warhead used on this weapon allows better control over collateral damage.
The AGM-130C employed a 2,000-pound penetrating warhead for use against hardened targets. It was developed, but not put into service.
The Autonomous AGM-130 is a proposed weapon that would incorporate a laser radar (LADAR) seeker, removing any need for the weapon to be steered to the target. The aircraft interface would be based on the JDAM interface; use of the autonomous seeker would greatly reduce the mission planning requirements and aircrew workload. Elimination of the datalink would also reduce the susceptibility to countermeasures.
Combat history
The AGM-130 was the weapon used in the April 1999 NATO strike on a railway bridge in GrdelicaGrdelica train bombing
The Grdelica train bombing occurred on 12 April 1999 , when two missiles fired by NATO aircraft hit a passenger train while it was passing across a railway bridge over the Južna Morava river at Grdelica gorge, some south of Belgrade in Serbia...
, Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
.
Specifications
- Length : 12 feet 10.5 inches (3.92 meters)
- Diameter : 15 in/18 in (38 cm/46 cm) (bomb); 9 in (23 cm) (rocket motor)
- Wingspan : 59 inches (1.50 meters)
- Range : more than 40 miles (60 kilometers)
- Launch Weight : 2,917 pounds (1,323 kilograms)
- Ceiling : 30,000-plus feet (9,100 meters)
- Warhead : 240 kg (530 lb) BLU-109 or 430 kg (950 lb) MK 84
- Date Deployed : December 1994 (F-111 F)