Harm Missile

Supersonic air-to-surface tactical missile designed to seek and destroy radar-equipped air defense systems.

The HARM missile system can detect, attack, and destroy an enemy target virtually automatically. The missile hones in on enemy radar after detecting signals emitted from a ground-based threat. The missile can identify a single target from several ground-based emitters.

Propelled by a smokeless, dual-thrust rocket motor, HARMs can be deployed by F/A 18 and EA-GB navy and marine aircraft or the air force's F-16C. The AGM-88 HARM, which made many improvements over previous models, was first deployed in 1985. The missiles proved effective against Libyan targets in the Gulf of Sidra (1986) and during Operation Desert Storm (1991) and Operation Enduring Freedom (2003) in Iraq.

Manufactured by Raytheon, the 800-pound HARM is less than 14 feet long and only 10 inches in diameter. The missile has a range of more than 30 miles and can travel more than 760 mph. The U.S. forces have an inventory of about 20,000 HARM missiles, which have a unit cost of $284,000.