[sci.military] Information: Standard ARM

megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23) (02/09/91)

From: megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23)

Information: Standard ARM

>From The Encyclopedia of World Air Power, Cresent Books, 1980
Type: anti-radiation missile
Powerplant: one Aerojet Mk 27 solid-propellant rocket motor
Performance: speed Mach 2 or 1,320mph (2124km/h) at 40,000ft (12190m); maximum
range 15 miles (25km)
Weight: 1,400lb (635kg)
Dimensions: span 3ft 7in (1.09m); length 15ft (4.57m); diameter 13.5in (34.3cm)
Warhead: high-explosive
Operators: US air force, US navy

"The Standard ARM (Anti-Radiation Missile) was developed from 1966, using the
RIM-66A Standard surface-to-air missile as its starting point, in order to give
the US Air Force and Navy a larger, longer-range and generally more effective
complement to the Texas Instruments AGM-45A Shrike for use in Vietnam. In order
to save time the original AGM-78A version of the Standard ARM used as much
existing equipment as possible, including the RIM-66A airframe and rocket motor
(which was modified so that the missile could be carried at high altitudes for
lond periods), together with the Texas Instruments seeker which was already
operational in the Shrike.
Flight trials began in 1967 and the weapon entered service the following year,
initially equipping the US Air Force's Republic F-105F/G Thunderchief Wild
Weasel (defence-suppresion) aircraft and the USN's equivalent Grumman EA-6A
Intruders. The weapon's performance was found to be only marginally acceptable,
however, so work began in 1967 on the improved AGM-78B; in this model a new
Maxson Electronics anti-radiation seeker replaced the Shrike-type homing head.
The family has since been extended to AGM-78C, -78D, and -78D2, with the cost
per round falling steadily although performance has increased. The most recent
models are carried by USAF McDonnell Douglas F-4G Wild Weasels, which are
replacing Thunderchiefs, and by the US Navy's Grumman EA-6B Prowlers.
Aircraft equipped to operate Standard ARM are fitted with a TIAS (Target
Identification and Acquisition System), which analyses enemy radar trans-
missions and computes the trajectory which a missile should fly to engage the
transmitter to be attacked. The weapon is then programmed to follow this flight
path even if the enemy radar is switched off after launching - a trick which
North Vietnamese forces quickly learnt was effective against the Shrike. If the
radar keeps transmitting, the Standard ARM's seeker will home on to its 
emissions to update the missile's trajectory until impact. The RGM-66D is the
shipborne surface-to-surface model of the AGM-78."

>From The US War Machine, Salamander Books, 1983
Origin: General Dynamics, Pomona (California)
Type: Anti-radar missile (AGM, air-launched; RGM, ship-launched)
Dimensions: Length 15ft 0in (4.57m); body diameter 13.5in (34.3cm); fin span
42.9in (109cm)
Launch weight: Basic 1,356lb (615kg), Mod 1 1,800lb (816kg)
Propulsion: Aerojet Mk 27 Mod 4 dual-thrust solid motor.
Guidance: Passive radar seeker by Maxson and GD/Pomona
Range: 15 miles (25km)
Flight speed: Over Mach 2
Warhead: Conventional, impact/prox fuze

"Announced in 1966, Standard ARM is a development of the Standard ship-to-air
SAM. The first model used the TI seeker head of the Shrike ARM but improved
guidance is now fitted. This missile has augmented, and is now replacing, 
Shrike in US Navy A-6 squadrons and the USAF units flyingthe F-105, F-4 and
possibly other aircraft such as the A-10; it has also been reported as carried
by the Navy EA-6B Prowler EW aircraft and the E-2C Hawkeye AEW platform. 
Carrier aircraft can be fitted with TIAS (Target Identification and Acquisition
System) to help the missile strike home despite the enemy radar being inter-
mittently or permanently switched off; in the USAF Standard ARM is linked with
the Wild Weasel system and would probably be carried by the EF-4E (F-4G) and
EF-111A. (See HARM.) RGM-66D is an interim US Navy ship-to-ship missile which
can hit radar-emitting targets beyond the horizon. It is fitted to two patrol
gunboats (in stern box launcher); RGM-66E is tailored to the Asroc launcher and
is interim ARM on six DDGs and six FFGs. All Standard ARM production was
completed in 1978."

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tohall@helios.lerc.nasa.gov (Dave Hall (Sverdrup)) (02/14/91)

From: tohall@helios.lerc.nasa.gov (Dave Hall (Sverdrup))
In article <1991Feb9.032640.3811@cbnews.att.com>, megazone@wpi.WPI.EDU (MEGAZONE 23) writes...
> 
>Information: Standard ARM


    Thanks for an informative article. My understanding is that all Standard
ARMs have been withdrawn from service due to cracking of the solid propellant
during storage. The motor would explode at launch, with fatal consequences
to the launch aircraft.