agm-65 maverick

big>AGM-65 Maverick Technical Summary
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rimary function	Air-to-surface laser guided missile; attack and destroy armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation, and fuel installations.
ontractor	Hughes Aircraft Corporation; Raytheon Corporation.
ower plant	Thiokol TX-481 dual-thrust solid propellant rocket motor
ength	2.55 m (8 ft 2 in)
aunch weight	From 208 kg (462 lb) to 302 kg (670 lb) depending upon model and warhead weight
iameter	305 mm (12 in)
ing span	710 mm (2 ft 4 in)
ange (max. at high altitude)	27 km (17 statute miles, 15 nautical miles)
ange (max. at low altitude)	13 km (8 statute miles, 7 nautical miles)
uidance	Electro-optical in A, B, K, and H models; infrared imaging in D and G models; laser guided in E models; infrared homing in F models.
arhead	135 kg (300 lb); contact fuse, delayed fuse penetrator, heavyweight
nit cost	US$180,000
ate first deployed	August 1972

The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-surface tactical missile (ASM) designed for close air support, prohibition, and forceful prevention. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation, and fuel storage facilities. The AGM-65F (infrared targeting) used by the US Navy has an infrared guidance system optimized for ship tracking and a larger penetrating warhead than the 125 pound (57 kg) shaped charge used by the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force (300 pounds kg vs 125 pounds kg). The AGM-65 has two types of warheads; one has a contact fuse in the nose, and the other has a heavyweight warhead with a delayed fuse, which penetrates the target with its kinetic energy before firing. The latter is most effective against large, hard targets. The propulsion system for both types is a solid-rocket motor behind the warhead. AGM-65 missiles were employed by F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 to attack armored targets. Mavericks played a large part in the destruction of Iraq's military force. LAU-117 Maverick launchers have also been used on USA navy and air force aircraft: A-4 Skyhawk, A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, AH-1W, AV-8 Harrier II, F-4 Phantom II, F-5 Freedom Fighter, F-15 Eagle, F/A-18 Hornet, General Dynamics F-111, P-3 Orion, and SH-2G; and the UK Royal Air Force' Harrier GR7.

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