Harpoon in flight
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The sub-sonic, wave-skimming GM-84 Harpoon is the US Navy’s sole anti-shipping missile, with the minor exception of small helicopter-borne AGM-119B Penguin missiles. The Harpoon has been adapted into several variants, and exported to many navies around the world. At present, the Harpoon family includes AGM-84 air, RGM-84 sea/land, and UGM-84 submarine-launched versions. Variants such as the Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles and the upgraded AGM-84K SLAM – Expanded Response will also be covered in this DID FOCUS Article. It describes the missiles themselves, and covers global contracts involving this family.
The Harpoon family’s best known competitor is the French/MBDA M38/39/40 Exocet, but recent years have witnessed a growing competitive roster at both the subsonic (Israel’s >Gabriel family, Russia’s SS-N-27 Klub family, Saab’s RBS15, Kongsberg’s stealthy NSM, China’s YJ-82/C-802 used by Hezbollah in Lebanon), and supersonic (Russia’s SS-N-22 Sunburn/Moskit, SS-N-26 Yakhont, and some SS-N-27 Klub variants, India’s SS-N-26 derived PJ-10 BrahMos) tiers.
GM-84 Harpoon Family: The Missiles
UGM-84 Harpoon launch
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The sub-sonic, sea-skimming GM-84 Harpoon is the standard anti-shipping missile used by the US Navy, and its variants are in service with 27 navies around the world. Boeing lists its range as “in excess of 67 [nautical miles]“; other sources place the range for basic Harpoon types between 140-200 km (75 – 120 nautical miles). The current version in service with most US ships and aircraft is the Block IC.
At present, air-launched AGM-84 Harpoon missiles are qualified for use on serving P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft, F/A-18 and F-16 fighters, and B-52 Bombers. Because they don’t need to fight gravity at launch, and are already moving forward at speed, air-launched missiles have the longest ranges.
The ship-launched version is the RGM-84, and it includes a solid rocket booster to help it fight gravity at launch and extend its range.
The submarine-launched UGM-84 also includes a rocket booster, all inside a container that pops to the surface when the missile is fired. The rocket booster ignites as the container reaches the surface.
Block II test
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Harpoon Block II. This privately-developed upgrade program was designed to improve the missile’s ability to attack targets in congested littoral environments, where nearby land masses and other ships can provide cover for would-be targets. Block IIs have more waypoints associated with missile flight in their software, which allows them to take less direct routes. To ensure that they do arrive, GPS/INS guidance gets them to the target area. Once the missile arrives in the target area, the Block II’s targeting system can use shoreline data provided by the launch platform to make it much better at distinguishing between a ship and a nearby land mass; indeed, these upgrades reportedly offer a 90% shrinkage of the Block I’s “problem zone” near local shorelines.
To keep costs down, the Block II program leveraged progress on several other weapons, using the low-cost Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (GPS/INS) from Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) smart bomb program, plus GPS antennae and software from Boeing’s Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) and AGM-84K SLAM Expanded Response (SLAM ER). Its GPS/INS capabilities give it the ability to hit targets on land, and the existing 500 pound blast warhead can deliver lethal firepower against targets like coastal missile batteries and ships in port.
The Harpoon Block II can use existing command and launch equipment, and will eventually work with all platforms that currently use the Harpoon Missile system. Harpoon Block II has been bought or requested by some foreign navies (Australia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey), but not by the US Navy.
An upgrade called Block II+ uses JSOW C-1′s Common Weapon Datalink for targeting updates and re-targeting, and should be operational in 2017.
Block III (canceled). The proposed Harpoon Block III program was intended to be an upgrade kit for up to 800 of the US Navy’s surface and air-launched UGM/AGM-84 Block IC missiles, and 50 RGM-84 Block IC ship-launched missiles. Once complete, it would also have become a new missile or upgrade option for other customers. It would have built on the Block II, reportedly adding more jam-resistant SAASM GPS, “land blanking” capability for improved near-shore and land attack; and a 2-way datalink that lets controllers receive the missile’s radar picture, update or even switch targets in mid-flight, and confirm hits. Navy budget documents estimated that the entire development program would have cost $113.7 million between 2007-2009.
The US Navy decided not to go ahead with Block III, but SAASM GPS systems have been tested as part of Block II. The other Block III enhancements will have to wait, as will competitive upgrades like extended range, fitting an electro-optic terminal seeker similar to that used on the AGM-84K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile – Enhanced Response); and allowing vertical launch from strike-length Mk 41 Vertical Launch System cells mounted inside Navy ships. That last capability would allow navies to remove the separate Harpoon launcher on the deck, improving both ship flexibility and radar signature. None of these would have been realized in Block III, though Boeing had said that the missiles would be “positioned” for vertical launch and extended range. Whatever that meant.
SLAM-ER Highlights
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SLAM-ER. Boeing’s AGM-84K Joint Standoff Land Attack Missiles-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) is an advanced derivative of the Harpoon missile, and competes with precision attack missiles like Lockheed’s JASSM, and European missiles like the EADS Taurus KEPD 350 and MBDA’s Storm Shadow. In service since 2000, it is the primary long-range land attack missile for US Navy F/A-18 aircraft, and has also been ordered by South Korea (F-15K) and Turkey (F-16).
Powered by an air-breathing turbojet engine, the 1,400 pound/ 635 kg SLAM-ER can deliver its 500-pound warhead over 150 nautical miles, flying by INS/GPS navigation at subsonic speeds. The missile can also receive in-flight target position updates, via an In-Flight Flex-Targeting capability and video link. Once it nears its designated target area, the missile activates its imaging infrared (IIR) sensor, using pattern-matching algorithms to compare the target scene with on-board reference images, in order to locate the pre-planned aimpoint in the target scene. The Weapon System Operator or pilot can then change the decision taken by the missile, or do nothing and have it continue to its target. A special Stop Motion Aimpoint Update makes this task easier, and allows narrowband datalinks like Link 16 to be used for near-real time battle damage assessment and transmission.
Defense Update reports that approximately 700 SLAM missiles in the U.S. Navy arsenal will be retrofitted with the SLAM-ER upgrade. They add that:
“The missile is equipped with a 500 pound derivative of the Tomahawk Block III warhead developed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. The WDU-40/B warhead uses a titanium case shaped specifically to increase penetration and becomes reactive during detonation, substantially increasing the blast and incendiary effects.”
GM-84 Harpoon Family: Contracts & Key Events
RGM-84 AUR, loading
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Before we begin, a few terms. Entries referring to “encapsulated all-up rounds” (AUR) refer to a missile pre-loaded into a container that contains electronics required to transmit data and fire the missile, or protects a missile that’s ready to load. The idea is that it’s all one simple package that can be dropped into torpedo bays, or fitted to the Harpoon launchers on a ship’s deck. Countries can also specify AUR containers only, if they have existing stocks of missiles.
The Harpoon missile body consists of the Guidance Section, Warhead Section, Sustainer (propulsion) Section, and the Control Section. The Harpoon missile body, along with an appropriate air launch, canister (ship) or other launch kit (to include wings, fins, booster if applicable for UGM-84s), makes up a Harpoon AUR.
Harpoon canister AURs can be bought in any of 3 configurations. Thickwall Canister is armored against small arms fire and other hazards. Grade B Canister is only protected against near-miss shock. Lightweight Canister is the lightest configuration, designed for use on small ships.
Unless otherwise noted, all contracts are issued to Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas Corp. in St. Louis, MO. Unless otherwise noted, US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in Patuxent River, MD manages the contract. This is also true for Foreign Military Sales, where it acts as the buyer’s agent.
FY 2013 – 2014
Tiger Class
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Oct 17/13: Testing. You wouldn’t think that loading an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet with 4 Harpoon missiles underwing would be a problem, but the effects of turbulence and buffeting on the aircraft and on each missile launch force great caution. US NAVAIR is just now beginning tests of this load-out, beginning with a simple flight test of the load.
It’s a good reminder that just because an aircraft is integrated with a specific weapon, doesn’t mean that any configuration is automatically acceptable. Testing may or may not test the full range. Sources: Boeing feature, “Locked & Loaded” (incl. video).
Oct 15/13: A pair of DSCA export requests from Saudi Arabia and the UAE would deliver a large number of Harpoon Block II and SLAM-ER missile to those Mideast air forces, for use from their F-15SA (Saudi) and F-16E/F (UAE) fighters. If the orders go through, they’ll be a big boost for the production line.
Saudi Arabia: Part of a $6.8 billion request
400 AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles.
40 Harpoon CATM.
20 ATM-84L Harpoon Exercise Missiles.
650 AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles. The Saudis already deploy MBDA’s stealthy, long-range Storm Shadow cruise missile from their Tornados, but SLAM-ER will definitely add punch to the F-15 fleet.
40 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), with seekers but no motor.
20 ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles for test shots.
4 Dummy Air Training Missiles. Sometimes you just need similar weight & form factor.
60 AWW-13 Data Link pods. Pilots can receive text, data, and photos from various sources, and can also use it to communicate with the SLAM-ER in mid-flight.
UAE: Part of a $4 billion request
300 AGM-84H SLAM-ER cruise missiles.
40 CATM-84H Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), with seekers but no motor.
20 ATM-84H SLAM-ER Telemetry Missiles for test shots.
4 Dummy Air Training Missiles. Sometimes you just need similar weight & form factor.
30 AWW-13 Data Link pods. Pilots can receive text, data, and photos from various sources, and can also use it to communicate with the SLAM-ER in mid-flight.
Sources: US DSCA 13-48, Oct 15/13 | US DSCA 13-49, Oct 15/13.
DSCA: Saudi Arabia & UAE
Dec 20/12: Egypt & Turkey. A $12.2 million firm-fixed-price contract from Egypt ($11.9M/ 98%) and Turkey ($312,482/ 2%), with all funds committed. Turkey gets 1 Lot of AN/SWG-1A(V) Harpoon Shipboard Command Launch Control Set (HSCLCS) hardware; 1 of the 90-day Prime Spares Kits; 1 Global Positioning System Receiver Assembly (GPS-RA) and associated hardware; and 1 Lot of Engineering Technical Assistance.
When Germany transferred 5 of its Tiger Class Type 148 Fast Attack Craft to Egypt about a decade ago, they were equipped with MM38 Exocet missiles. Egypt appears to be in the process of converting 4 of its 5 Type 148s to Harpoon Block IIs, per its Dec 18/09 DSCA request, to create commonality with its forthcoming Ambassador III Class FACs. They’re buying 4 AN/SWG-1A(V) HSCLCS, including both classified and unclassified portions; 4 Ordinance Alteration EGE 3987 kits; 8 GPS-RA Retrofit Kits and associated hardware; Installation and Checkout Prime Spares Kit (both classified and unclassified portions); 4 of the 90-day Primes Spares Kits; 1 Classified Prime Spares Kit – 2 years; 2 Unclassified Prime Spares Kit – 2 years; 1 Harpoon Shipboard Equipment Integrated Logistics Support Program; and 1 lot of engineering and technical assistance.
Work will be performed in Lititz, PA (51%); St. Louis, MO (32%); Pryor Creek, OK (5%); Santa Fe Springs, CA (5%); Madison, AL (3%); Kirkwood, MO (3%); and Irving, TX (1%), and is expected to be complete in July 2014. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2304c1 (N00019-13-C-0019).
Egypt & Turkey
Nov 9/12: JCTS. A $34.7 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the design, development and test of the Harpoon and SLAM-ER’s Joint Common Test Station. This contract includes purchases by the Governments of Saudi Arabia ($15.0M/ 57.7%) and Australia ($11.0M/ 42.3%), who use Harpoons. That $26 million is committed. The rest will be spent as required by the USA.
Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO, and is expected to be complete in March 2016. This contract was not competitively procured, pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-13-C-2022).
Nov 5/12: FMS parts. A $36.6 million firm-fixed-price contract modification for Harpoon Weapons System components to the governments of Australia ($32M/ 87.48%); Japan ($1.5M/ 4.00%); Saudi Arabia ($786,992/ 2.15%); Korea ($953,400/ 2.60%); the Netherlands ($848,925/ 2.32%); Egypt ($311,045/ 0.85%); Taiwan ($87,710/ 0.24%); Oman ($73,128/ 0.20%) and the United Arab Emirates ($59,390/ 0.16%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO, and is expected to be complete in April 2014 (N00019-12-C-0103).
FY 2012
Multi-national buy; Korean request for sub-launched Block IIs; Korea’s failed test: a reminder.
AGM-84 Harpoon launch
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Sept 3/12: Post-Harpoon? Aviation Week offers a look into potential Harpoon replacements, as part of a larger shift toward “net enabled weapons.” In June 2012, the US Navy announced a sole-source contract to Raytheon to develop the interim Offensive Anti-Surface Weapon (OASuW) by modifying Tomahawk Block IV missiles with new sensors and data links. The missile is expected to enter service by 2015.
Full PE 0604786N OASuW Technology Development awards are expected to begin in FY 2013, after a Q2 Milestone A decision. The technical Development phase runs from FY 2013 – FY 2017, to an expected total of $557.2 million, with Initial Operational Capability currently set for 2024. RDT&E finding is proposed as:
FY 2013: $86.8 million
FY 2014: $44.3 million
FY 2015: $88.9 million
FY 2016: $138.5 million
FY 2017: $198.7 million
The Navy is looking to replace the Harpoon and Standoff Land Attack Missile—Extended Range (SLAM-ER) in the maritime interdiction role, and they will have choices. The USN is deploying Raytheon’s new AGM-154C-1 glide bomb with anti-ship capabilities, and Raytheon continues to develop their powered but slow JSOW-ER. In Norway, Kongsberg’s Joint Strike Missile offers high subsonic speeds, and would share JSOW-ER’s ability to fit inside an F-35C fighter. Lockheed Martin is developing the stealthy, long-range LRASM-A under a DARPA/USN contract, effectively re-introducing a more advanced form of the JASSM missile that competed against the AGM-84K SLAM-ER. LRASM-A would even be capable of vertical launch, which offers a unique capability within this set.
Boeing isn’t idle, fielding AGM-84K SLAM-ERs and Harpoon Block IIs with foreign militaries, and developing the AGM-84L Harpoon Block II Plus. Block II+ uses JSOW C-1′s Common Weapon Datalink for targeting updates and re-targeting, and should be operational in 2017. It won’t fit inside an F-35, though, or launch vertically – and looks set to face stiff competition from many directions.
June 29/12: Lot 87? A $145.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for the nearly 90 Harpoon Block II missiles and associated hardware “for the U.S. and 4 foreign militaries.” The $145.1 million contract also includes exercise and test variants of the Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER).
In truth, almost all of these orders are exports. The USN isn’t buying Harpoon missiles, which are so low on their priority list that they don’t even rate a mention in Navy FY 2012 budget justification documents. Boeing has now confirmed that:
“The contract for the U.S. portion included the “associated hardware.” The Harpoon Block II’s were for the four FMS customers, not the USN.”
The first missile deliveries under this contract are scheduled for August 2012, and contract work is expected to run through December 2013. Boeing.
2012 orders
May 22/12: ROK request. The US DSCA announces [PDF] South Korea’s official request to buy 18 UGM-84L Harpoon Block II All-Up-Round Missiles, 1 UGM-84L telemetry exercise section, and containers, Guidance Control Unit (GCU) spares, recertification and reconfiguration support, spare and repair parts, tools and tool sets, and other forms of support. The estimated cost is up to $84 million; actual prices will depend on contract negotiations.
UGM-84s are submarine-launched missiles, which could be employed from the ROKN’s U209 and U214 diesel-electric boats. The DSCA says that they’re intended to “supplement current weapon inventories and bring the ROK’s Naval Anti-Surface Warfare performance up to existing regional baselines.” Boeing will be the prime contractor.
Implementation of this proposed sale won’t require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor personnel to Korea, but there will be occasional visits for program, technical, and management support.
South Korea request
May 21/12: An $11.1 million firm-fixed-price contract for GM-84 Harpoon and SLAM-ER components. Orders are from the US Navy ($4.3 million/ 39.2%) and, under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the governments of: Australia ($2.9 million/ 26%); Britain ($237,005/ 2.1%); Canada ($241,015/ 2.1%); Egypt ($39,834/ 0.4%); India ($59,428/ 0.5%); Japan ($916,182/ 8.3%); Kuwait ($79,668/ 0.7%); Pakistan ($246,452/ 2.2%); Saudi Arabia ($313,751/ 2.8%); South Korea ($537,786/ 4.9%); Turkey ($1.1 million/ 10.2%); and the United Arab Emirates ($67,431/ 0.6%).
Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO, and is expected to be complete in August 2013. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-12-C-0058).
May 21/12: ROK. A $7.8 million delivery order covers an Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System software license for the government of Korea, integrating ships with Encapsulated Harpoon Command Launch System III hardware. Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO, and is expected to be complete in June 2012 (N00019-11-G-0001).
Dec 1/11: A $9.2 million firm-fixed-price basic ordering agreement modification, exercising an option to provide Harpoon/ SLAM-ER System and Harpoon Launch System integrated logistics and engineering services support to the U.S. Navy (35.82%); and to the governments of South Korea (8.22%), Turkey (6.94%), Taiwan (5.06%), Japan (4.72%), Egypt (4.62%), Greece (3.88%), United Kingdom (3.63%), Pakistan (3.07%), Australia (2.97%), Chile (2.76%), Canada (2.24%), Saudi Arabia (2.34%), Israel (2.04%), Singapore (2.03%), Thailand (1.45%), Bahrain (1.24%), United Arab Emirates (1.10%), Germany (1.09%), Netherlands (1.09%), Portugal (0.82%), Kuwait (0.81%), Malaysia (0.76%), Oman (0.74%), and Denmark (0.55%).
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (91.17%); St. Louis, MO (5.43%); Yorktown, VA (2.64%); Point Mugu, CA (0.71%); and Oklahoma City, OK (0.05%), and is expected to be complete by November 2013. $3.3 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/12 (N00019-11-G-0001).
Nov 29/11: ROK Test fail. Consternation and controversy in Korea, where an AGM-84K SLAM-ER missile test-fired from an F-15K falls into the sea. The Korea Herald reports that ROKAF is drawing criticism for not disclosing the failed June 15/11 live fire drill. Their other live firing to date, on June 17/11, worked just fine; it was used as televised warning footage on Nov 23/11, the 1st anniversary of North Korea’s attack on the Yeonpyeong islands.
This may seem like a lot of concern over 1 failed test, but the SLAM-ER is the ROKAF’s longest-range strike weapon, for use against the most heavily defended targets. It’s important enough that the ROKAF’s new F-15K Strike Eagle family fighters are colloquially known as “Slam Eagles”. The ROKAF’s response was to note that as a rule, they don’t talk about test results, so they didn’t hide anything by not mentioning this one. They are trying to investigate the failed launch as best they can, however, without the missile’s remains to help them. They’re also are checking other SLAM-ER missiles in inventory for defects, and the missile’s importance assures a high priority for those tasks.
Having said tall that, most people think of missiles the way they think of a flashlight: assemble it, then turn it on when you need it and and it lights up. The truth is that keeping them combat-ready is a very involved exercise of careful handling, frequent inspections, and periodic testing; otherwise, a country will have a surprising number of failures. This isn’t to say that the ROKAF has failed at these tasks, only that the task itself is more chancy and complex than it seems. Some missile manufacturers are working to get ahead of this curve by installing self-test systems inside, and turning the storage container itself into as push-button test device. Raytheon’s new SM-6 medium range air defense missile is a good example of that.
SLAM-ER test
FY 2011
Missile orders from Egypt, India, Taiwan.
F-15E w. SLAM-ERs
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Sept 14/11: A $9.6 million cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity support contract, to include engineering, training and technical services, for the Harpoon and SLAM-ER missile; the Encapsulated Harpoon Command and Launch Systems; encapsulated support; and the Harpoon Shipboard Command Launch Control System.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO, and is expected to be complete in December 2013. Funds will be committed if and as needed. Since Boeing is the missiles’ manufacturer, this contract was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-11-D-0041).
August 15/11: An $8.8 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to provide integrated logistics services in support of Harpoon and SLAM-ER programs for the US Navy and for the governments of various foreign military sales customers. The total estimated value including all options is $18 million. Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (91.17%); St. Louis, MO (5.43%); Yorktown, VA (2.64%); Point Mugu, CA (0.71%); and Oklahoma City, OK (0.05%), and is expected to be complete in November 2012. $3.2 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept 30/11.
This order combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($3.2M/ 36.64%) and the governments of Korea ($711,007/ 8.06%); Turkey ($607,029/ 6.88%); Taiwan ($435,217/ 4.93%); Japan ($418,388/ 4.74%); Egypt ($402,423/ 4.56%); Greece ($343,865/ 3.90%); United Kingdom ($314,938/ 3.57%); Pakistan ($264,047/ 2.99%); Australia ($256,929/ 2.91%); Chile ($246,008/ 2.79%); Canada ($193,501/ 2.19%); Saudi Arabia ($196,640/ 2.23%); Israel ($173,608/ 1.97%); Singapore ($173,345/ 1.96%); Thailand ($125,777/ 1.43%); Bahrain ($110,445/ 1.25%); Germany ($99,643/ 1.13%); Netherlands ($99,643/ 1.13%); UAE ($95,249/ 1.08%); Portugal ($74,732/ 0.85%); Kuwait ($68,820/ 0.78%); Malaysia ($65,153/ 0.74%); Oman ($64,075/ 0.73%); and Denmark ($49,821.45/ 0.56%). See also FBO.gov).
July 6/11: Orders. A $119.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for Lot 86 Harpoon missiles and associated equipment. Based on past order requests, all missiles in this set are Block II Harpoons with dual radar/ GPS guidance. Orders include:
Egypt: $51.2 million/ 42.9%. 20 tactical light weight canister BGM-84 AUR. Egypt’s new Fast Attack Craft missile boats will use Harpoons.
India: $35.1 million/ 29.4%. 20 tactical air launch AGM-84 AUR; and 2 exercise air launches.
Taiwan: $26.9 million/ 22.5%. 2 AGM-84 Harpoon missile bodies; 2 exercise Grade B canister All Up Rounds (AUR); 8 anti-submarine rocket AUR (not Harpoon-related); associated hardware, and 2 exercise air launches. Taiwan is receiving refurbished P-3C Orion aircraft, which will use the air-launched version.
“Harpoon-related hardware” will for existing customers in Australia ($1.9 million/ 1.6%), Canada ($695,994/ 0.6%), Japan ($2.1 million/ 1.7%), Korea ($1.2 million/ 1%), and Singapore ($404,441/ 0.3%).
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (43.5%); McKinney, TX (13.5%); Toledo, OH (6.0%); Motherwell, United Kingdom (4.4%); Cedar Rapids, IA (3.6%); Lititz, PA (3.5%); Elkton, MD (3.0%); Grove, OK (2.6%); Black Mountain, NC (2.2%); Middletown, CT (1.8%); Kirkwood, MO (1.6%); Galena, KS (1.5%); Joplin, MO (1.3%); Huntsville, AL (1.1%); Chandler, AZ (1.0%); Palo Alto, CA (0.8%); McCalester, OK (0.8%); El Paso, TX (0.7%); Clearwater, FL (0.7%); Lancaster, PA (0.7%); Estill Springs, TN (0.6%); and various locations in and outside the continental U.S. (5.1%). Work is expected to be completed in July 2012. This contact was not competitively procured pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 (N00019-11-C-0300).
Egypt, India, Taiwan, etc.
FY 2010
India equips its Jaguars; Missile buys from Canada, Pakistan; Requests from Taiwan & Egypt.
IAF Jaguar IMs
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Sept 2/10: India buy. India’s Economic Times reports that India signed a deal with Boeing for 24 Harpoon Block II missiles in late July 2010, but the missiles will equip its its Jaguar strike aircraft. The paper quotes Boeing defence, space and security’s India head Vivek Lall, who says that no agreement had been reached yet with regard to supplying the missile for P-8I. That will be a separate Foreign Military Sale case.
India is believed to possess about 10 Jaguar IM maritime strike variant fighters in No.6 Squadron, which have been upgraded over the years with IAI ELta’s EL/M-2032 radar and improved electronic defense systems. At present, the Jaguars are limited to carrying 1980s-vintage Sea Eagle missiles, and their land attack capabilities have not kept pace. Adding the Block II Harpoons, with their dual sea-land attack capabilities, will make the Jaguar fleet a potent threat once again. See also Sept 9/08 entry.
India
July 29/10: Orders. A $66 million firm-fixed-price contract for:
32 Lot 85 Harpoon missile bodies (HMB) for the government of Taiwan
4 Harpoon canister grade “B” missiles for the government of Canada
Associated spares and support.
Harpoon missile spares for the governments of Canada, the Netherlands, Portugal, Japan, the United Kingdom, Israel, Pakistan, Turkey and Singapore, to include containers;
Plus Block II guidance section upgrade kits; wire bundle assemblies; and guidance control units.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (55.3%); McKinney, TX (10.7%); Toledo, OH (6.2%); Huntsville, AL (4.5%); Lititz, PA (3.7%); Middletown, CT (2.7%); Grove, OK (2.3%); Galena, KS (1.6%); Minneapolis, MN (1.5%); Motherwell, UK (1.2%); Elkton, MD (1.1%); Kirkwood, MO (1%); Anniston, AL (0.8%); Clearwater, FL (0.7%); McAlester, OK (0.6%); Melbourne, FL (0.6%); and various locations in and outside the contiguous U.S. (5.5%). Work is expected to be complete in June 2011.
This contract combines purchases for the governments of Taiwan ($43.8M; 66.4%), Canada ($10.1M; 15.3%), Portugal ($7.6M; 11.5%), the Netherlands ($3.2M; 4.8%), Japan ($514,864; 0.8%), the United Kingdom ($263,986; 0.4%), Israel ($194,635; 0.3%), Pakistan ($169,360; 0.3%), Turkey ($31,643; 0.1%), and Singapore ($2,584; 0.1%) under the Foreign Military Sales program. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-10-C-0053).
Taiwan, Canada, etc.
Jan 29/10: Taiwan request. The US DSCA announces [PDF] Taiwan’s official request for 12 “Harpoon Block II Telemetry” missiles. The DSCA release cites 10 “RTM-84L” and 2 “ATM-84L” missiles, which have telemetry payloads for missile tests, instead of the warheads found on standard RGM-84 (ship-launched) and AGM-84 (air-launched) variants. In addition to the missiles, Taiwan would receive containers; training devices; spare and repair parts; supply/technical support; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; technical data and publications; and U.S. Government and contractor support.
The estimated cost is $37 million, the prime contractor will be Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri, and implementation of this sale will not require any additional U.S. Government personnel or contractor representatives.
The Harpoon Block II could be militarily significant, because its GPS guidance and improved clutter resolution allow it to attack land targets, as well as ships. See also the Oct 3/08 entry, requesting submarine-launched Block II missiles. Taiwan is building its own “HF-2E Hsiung Feng” land attack cruise missiles with much longer ranges, however, so the Block II’s land-attack capability would not be a new military development in the region.
Taiwan request
Dec 18/09: Egypt request. The US DSCA announces Egypt’s formal request to buy of 20 RGM-84L/3 Harpoon Block II anti-ship missiles with rocket boosters; 4 AN/SWG-1A Harpoon Shipboard Command Launch Control Systems including all consoles, software, and shipboard canister launcher units (4 missile battery); plus spare and repair parts; supply/technical support; support equipment; personnel training and training equipment; technical data and publications; and U.S. Government and contractor support. The estimated cost is $145 million.
Egypt intends to use the missiles and launch systems on upgraded S-148 Tiger Class Patrol Boats, and consolidate the configuration of the surface-to- surface missiles within its inventory away from the shorter range MM-38 Exocet missiles that had previously equipped this class. The principal contractor will be Boeing in St. Louis, MO. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale, and implementation of will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. government or contractor representatives to Egypt. U.S. government and contractor representatives will be required to travel to Egypt annually for a period of 1-2 weeks, however, to participate in program and technical reviews.
DSCA requests are not contracts, and Congress can block the sale if it acts promptly. The Harpoon Block II’s land attack capabilities have created concern and lobbying from Israel, which had previously succeeded in ensuring that American missiles sold to Egypt could not be used to strike its population centers.
Egypt request
Dec 8/09: Australia. Australian Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science Greg Combet provides an update regarding their Air Warfare Destroyer program, and notes both Lockheed Martin’s “pull the plug” ceremony, and an A$ 20 million (currently $18.3 million) contract with Boeing for the Advanced Harpoon Weapon Control System.
Its accompanying missiles, expected to be BGM-84 Harpoon Block IIs with dual radar/GPS guidance “…will allow our three Air Warfare Destroyers to engage surface and land targets at ranges well beyond the horizon.” That contract is still pending.
FY 2009
Harpoon Block III canceled; Taiwan request; Block II tested with improved GPS; SLAM-ER cleared for land targets.
SLAM-ER CATM
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Sept 21/09: Block III. Forecast International reports that the U.S. Navy has dropped plans to purchase the Harpoon III.
Senior Missile Analyst Larry Dickerson refers to the company’s overall forecast of a $7 billion anti-ship missile market through 2018, and sees the possibility of MBDA eclipsing Boeing thanks to its updated Exocet and Otomat/ Marte offerings. Boeing’s American orders will drop, but export sales will continue as the anti-ship market changes. Eventually, Dickerson sees anti-ship missiles disappearing as an independent segment, becoming submerged in a larger strike weapons market.
No Block III
Sept 10/09: Block II SAASM. A Boeing Harpoon Block II missile equipped with a redesigned Guidance Control Unit (GCU) flew for the first time in a test from the USS Princeton off the coast of California, scoring a direct hit on a land-based target on San Nicolas Island, CA.
The new GCU incorporates a Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to improve GPS security, replaces some obsolete electronics, and has been designed to accommodate a future 2-way datalink if one is funded. Boeing began developing the new GCU in 2007, and all new Harpoon missiles will incorporate it. In its release, Boeing says that it has delivered more than 7,100 Harpoon missiles to the United States and 28 allied partners over the program’s lifetime.
July 2/09: SLAM-ER cleared for land. The U.S. Navy declares the AGM-84K SLAM-ER missile operationally effective against moving targets on land, following a successful Operational Evaluation. This is extremely useful against targets like missile launchers and mobile radars, but its 2-way datalink and in-flight re-targeting also have obvious uses against elusive and mobile targets like terrorists. Boeing release.
SLAM-ER for land attack
Dec 18/08: SLAM-ER upgrade. Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC in Indianapolis, IN received an $8.5 million firm-fixed-price and cost plus fixed fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement.
This delivery order will provide for the development of the upgraded Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) systems’ AWW-13 Data Link Pod with the AWW-13 Frequency migration. The AN/AWW-13 Advanced Data Link can allow retargeting in flight to deal with targets of opportunity, or let the operator select a more refined aimpoint via mid-course corrections. In order to “close the loop,” it can receive seeker video images from the missile’s data link transmitter, for display in the pilot’s cockpit video.
Work will be performed in Indianapolis, IN, and is expected to be complete in October 2011. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year (N00019-05-G-0008).
Nov 8/08: Dutch test. The Royal Netherlands Navy successfully test-fires Boeing Harpoon Block IC missiles from its new air defense and command frigate HMS De Zeven Provincien. It’s the first time the Dutch Navy has launched multiple Harpoons on a single target, and both missiles hit. The Netherlands has been a Harpoon customer since 1975. Boeing release.
Oct 3/08: Taiwan request. The US DSCA announces [PDF] Taiwan’s official request for 32 UGM-84L Sub-Launched Harpoon Block II missiles. Taiwan’s request adds 2 UTM-84L Harpoon Block II Exercise missiles, 2 Advanced Harpoon Weapons Control System (Version 2) for installation on Taiwan’s 2 Seadragon Class submarines, 36 Harpoon containers, 2 UTM-84XD Encapsulated Harpoon Certification and Training Vehicles, test equipment and services, spares and repair parts for support equipment, and other forms of support.
The estimated cost is $200 million, and the contractor is Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas in St Louis, MO.
The US DSCA notes that “The recipient has previously purchased both air and surface launched HARPOON missiles and will be able to absorb and effectively utilize these submarine-launched missiles.” As such, no additional additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives will be required.
Taiwan request: sub-launched
FY 2008
Missile buys: Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey; Harpoon Block III development contract.
Aug 25/08: Orders. A $149.8 million firm-fixed-priced contract covers purchases for the US Navy, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Turkey. The orders include:
US Navy: 9 SLAM-ER exercise missiles retrofitted and certified from SLAMs to SLAM-ERs ($9.2 million; 6%)
Canada: 4 UGM-84 Block II Grade B exercise missiles in canister AURs ($8.4 million; 6%)
Japan: 1 Harpoon Exercise Section and associated hardware ($432,103; 0.3%)
South Korea: 9 AGM-84 air-launched missiles and associated hardware and 1 missile exercise section with associated hardware ($11.5 million; 8%)
Taiwan: 60 AGM-84 air-launched AURs and associated hardware ($89.8 million; 59.7%);
Turkey: 4 UGM-84 Block II missiles with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) GPS added, in AURs that fit to ships’ Tartar launchers rather than conventional Harpoon missile launchers ($30.4 million; 20%). That suggests a possible fit with Turkey’s upgraded FFG-7 frigates.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (55.32%); McKinney, TX (10.71%); Toledo, OH (6.28%); Huntsville, AL (4.58%); Lititz, PA (3.76%); Middletown, CT (2.68%); Grove, OK (2.25%); Galena, KS (1.55%); Minneapolis, MN (1.52%) the United Kingdom, (1.17%); Elkton, MD (1.08%); and various locations across the United States, (9.10%). It is expected to be complete in June 2010 (N00019-08-C-0042).
USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey
June 5/08: An $8.1 million indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract for engineering, logistics, and technical services in support of the Harpoon Weapon Systems and SLAM-ER Missile System for the U.S. Navy, and for the Governments of Australia, Canada, Chile, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherlands, Oman, Pakistan, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United Arab Emirates under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in St. Louis, MO and is expected to be complete in December 2010. This contract was not competitively procured (N00091-08-D-0011).
Jan 30/08: Harpoon III SDD. A $73.7 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-08-C-0021) for the system development and demonstration of the Harpoon Block III Missile Program. See above for details re: the missiles/ upgrade kits, and see the Sept 11/07 entry for related market analysis.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (92.12%); Lititz, PA (1.93%); Cedar Rapids, IA (0.84%); Chatsworth, CA (0.76%); Galena, KS (0.49%); Lowell, MA (0.42%); and various locations across the United States (3.44%), and is expected to be complete in August 2011. Contract funds in the amount of $5 million will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured.
Harpoon III SDD
Dec 27/07: Turkish order. A $16.7 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-priced contract (N00019-07-C-0037) for 9 Harpoon Lightweight Canister All-Up-Rounds for the Government of Turkey under the Foreign Military Sales Program. In addition, this modification exercises an option for an Encapsulating Training All-Up-Round for the Government of Turkey.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (38.64%); McKinney, TX (20.48%); various locations within the U.S. (10.45%); Toledo, OH (7.40%); the United Kingdom (5.13%); Chicago, IL (4.49%); Elkton, MD (3.97%); Kirkwood, MO (3.97%); Galena, KS (2.79%); and Hartford, CT (2.68%), and is expected to be complete in December 2011.
Turkey
FY 2008
Missile buys: Pakistan, Turkey, South Korea; Requests from Israel, Pakistan, Taiwan, Turkey; Harpoon datalink development; Global ASM market.
RGM-84 launch
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Sept 19/07: Datalink contract. Rockwell Collins announces an $18 million contract by Raytheon Missile Systems to design, develop, and produce the Strike Common Weapon Data Link for the JSOW Block III precision glide bomb, and the next generation of Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The Strike Common Weapon Data Link Program is ultimately sponsored by the U.S. Navy’s PMA-201 program management office. S
See “Harpoon & JSOW Getting 2-way Datalinks” for the full story, and a scenario explaining how this would work in practice and why it would matter.
Sept 11/07: Harpoon III. In “Harpoon III Order a Boost for Boeing,” Forecast International sees the forthcoming Harpoon Block III version giving Boeing another push in the global anti-ship missile market. F.I. sees $1.5 billion in revenues for Boeing from anti-ship missile sales over the next 10 years, followed by MBDA with $789 million in sales. China will build the largest number of anti-ship missiles, according to the market forecast, and Russia will manufacture nearly as many missiles as the United States, but receive considerably less money for them.
Aug 24/07: Israel request. The US DSCA announces Israel’s request for 30 RGM-84L Harpoon block II anti-ship missiles with containers, 500 AIM-9M Sidewinder Short Range Air-to-Air Infrared Guided missiles, spares and repair parts for support equipment, training, publications and technical documents, and other related elements of logistics and program support.
The principal contractors will be the Boeing Company in St. Louis, MO (Harpoon) and Raytheon systems Corporation in Tucson, AZ (Sidewinder), and the estimated total for both purchases is $163 million.
Israel request
Aug 8/07: Taiwan request. The US DSCA announces [PDF format] Taiwan’s formal request (“the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States”) for 60 AGM-84L air-launched HARPOON Block II missiles, 2 HARPOON guidance control units, 30 HARPOON containers, 30 HARPOON extended air-launch lugs, 50 HARPOON upgrade kits from AGM-84G to AGM-84L configuration, missile modifications, test equipment and services, spares and repair parts for support equipment, training, publications and technical documents, U.S. Government and contractor technical assistance, and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated cost is $125 million.
This sale is consistent with United States law and policy as expressed in Public Law 96-8. The U.S. is committed to providing military assistance under the terms of the Taiwan Relations Act. Taiwan has previously purchased both air and surface launched Harpoon missiles, and will be able to absorb and effectively utilize the additional missiles (60 new, 50 upgraded). Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas will be the prime contractor, and although the purchaser generally requires offsets, at this time, there are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Taiwan request
June 14/07: Turkey request. The US DSCA announced [pdf] Turkey’s request for 51 All-Up-Round, Selected Availability, Anti-spoofing Module-compliant Block II Tactical HARPOON missiles in the following configurations: 8 set for Tartar launcher, 38 Lightweight canisters, and 5 Encapsulated missiles. Also included: containers, test sets and support equipment, spare and repair parts, publications and technical data, maintenance, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government (USG) support, contractor representatives’ engineering and technical support services, and other related elements of logistics support. DSCA adds that:
“Turkey will use these missiles to augment its present HARPOON missile inventory and enhance its anti-ship warfare capability. The capabilities of this weapon system will improve Turkey’s ability to contribute to coalition NATO operations. The missiles will be provided in accordance with, and subject to the limitation on use and transfer, under the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, and as embodied in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance. This proposed sale will not adversely affect either the military balance in the region or U.S. efforts to encourage a negotiated settlement of the Cyprus question.”
The total value, if all options are exercised, could be as high as $159 million. The prime contractor will be Boeing subsidiary McDonnell Douglas.
Turkey request
May 31/07: Pakistan. A $8.1 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0027) for the procurement of a Harpoon Missile Subsystem Test Set Weapon Station upgrade, interim spares, installation and checkout, and applicable training for the Government of Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (34.02%); Dallas, TX (28.89%); St. Louis, MO (18.46%); Oklahoma City, OK (7.34%); St. Louis, MO (3.43%); Yorba Linda, CA (3.19%); Chatsworth, CA (1.20%); Englewood, CO (0.70%); Austin, TX (0.60%); and various locations across the United States (2.17%) and is expected to be complete in January 2009. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD.
April 13/07: Pakistan. Small business qualifier Delex Systems, Inc. in, Vienna, VA received a $7.5 million firm-fixed-priced order against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-03-G-0015) for the development, documentation, testing and delivery of a turnkey Harpoon Tactical Training Program for the Pakistan Navy under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in Vienna, VA (95%), and Karachi, Pakistan (5%), and is expected to be complete in April 2012. The Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, MD issued the contract.
March 30/07: Orders. A $191.4 million firm-fixed-priced contract combines US and foreign military sales:
US Navy TL: $3.7 million – 1.96%
4 SLAM-ER exercise missiles retrofitted from SLAMs to SLAM-ERs for the U.S. Navy
Japan TL: $821,504 – 0.43%
6 Harpoon Guidance Section Containers
2 Harpoon Exercise Sections
2 Harpoon Exercise/Warhead Containers
Pakistan: $63.7 million – 33.27%
30 Harpoon Tactical Block II Encapsulated All-Up Rounds
Turkey: $79.2 million – 41.36%. Fulfils prevous DSCA announcement.
48 SLAM-ER tactical missiles
59 SLAM-ER All Up Round (AUR) Missile Containers
3 SLAM-ER Instrumented Recoverable Air Test Vehicles
2 each SLAM-ER Guidance Sections; SLAM-ER Warhead Sections; SLAM-ER Sustainer Sections; SLAM-ER Control Sections; SLAM-ER Exercise Missiles; SLAM-ER Captive Air Training Missiles
South Korea TL: $44 million – 22.98%
30 Harpoon Tactical Block II Encapsulated All-Up Rounds (AUR)
9 Harpoon Air Launch AUR Containers
2 Harpoon Captive Air Training Missile (CATM-84) Ballistic Air Test Vehicle-uninstrumented
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (45.75%); various locations across the United States (9.35%); McKinney, TX (8.29%); the United Kingdom (8.03%); Toledo, OH (5.44%); Tucson, AZ (4.18%); Huntsville, AL (3.59%); Melbourne, FL (3.31%); Fort Washington, PA (2.74%);Middletown, CT (1.91%); Galena, KS (1.80%); Erlanger, KY (1.44%); Elkton, MD (1.44%); Clearwater, FL (1.44%); and Kirkwood, MO (1.29%) and is expected to be complete in December 2011. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-07-C-0037).
USA, Japan, South Korea, Turkey
Feb 12/07: Pakistan buy. A $15.8 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-06-C-0027), exercising an option for 10 Harpoon Tactical Block II Grade B All-Up-Round (AUR) missiles and 10 MK631 Canister AUR Containers for the Government of Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales Program. Retired Indian Commodore RS Vasan’s “The impact of induction of the P3C Orion Aircraft on the Indian Navy’s Preparedness: An Assessment” is an excellent source for those who wish to understand the regional military implications of Pakistan’s expanding P-3 fleet and recent Harpoon missile purchases – a topic that grows in importance as Pakistan itself becomes less stable.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (50.46%); McKinney, TX (15.14%); Toledo, OH (5.93%); United Kingdom (5.28%); Huntsville, AL (3.86%); Clearwater, FL (3.79%); Galena, KS (2.33%); Elkton, MD (2.19%); Kirwood, MO (2%); Middletown, CT (1.83%), and other various locations throughout the United States (7.19%), and is expected to be complete in February 2007.
Pakistan
Oct 23/06: A $17.3 million firm-fixed-price contract for Harpoon Ship Command Launch Control Systems upgrades, modifications and associated equipment and spares for the Governments of Pakistan, Chile, and Turkey. This contract combines purchases for the Governments of Pakistan ($6.1M/ 35%); Chile ($5.9M/ 34%); and Turkey ($5.3M/ 31%) under the Foreign Military Sales Program.
Work will be performed in St. Charles, MO (74%); Lititz, PA (8%); San Diego, CA (6%); Baltimore, MD (5%); Cedar Rapids, IA (4%); Kellyville, OK (2%); and various locations across the United States (1%), and is expected to be complete in July 2008. This contract was not competitively procured (N00019-06-C-0090).
Oct 13/06: ROK buy. A $37.5 million modification to previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract N00019-06-C-0027 exercises an option for 20 tactical Block II airlaunch all-up-round (AUR)