AGM-80 Viper

AGM-80 Viper
Type	Air-to-surface missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
Used by	United States Air Force
Production history
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation Missile Division
Specifications (XAGM-80A)
Warhead	Bomblet
Detonation mechanism	Radar altimeter
Guidance system	Inertial

The AGM-80 Viper was an air-to-surface missile developed by the Chrysler Corporation Missile Division in the 1960s for use by the United States Air Force. Based on the AGM-12 Bullpup, the program was cancelled early in trials. Viper was designed as a "self-guided standoff munition" for use in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses ("Iron Hand") role.^[1] The Viper, based on the AGM-12C/E Bullpup missile, was fitted with an inertial guidance system,^[2] and had a radar altimeter-based fuse to ensure an airburst of the weapon's bomblet payload.^[1] It was developed in competition with the AGM-79 Blue Eye missile,^[3] but was cancelled in the early 1970s, shortly after the start of flight tests of the prototype missiles,^[2] designated XAGM-80A.^[4]

References

1. Knacck, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems, Volume 1: Post-World War II Fighters, 1945-1973. Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History. p. 274. ASIN B000GLDM6M.
2. Parsch, Andreas (23 January 2002). "Chrysler AGM-80 Viper". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Designation-Systems. Archived from the original on 2017-12-20. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
3. Committee on Armed Services (1968). U.S. Tactical Air Power Program: Hearings Before the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services, Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, Ninetieth Congress, Second Session, on May 17, 28, June 6, 1968. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. p. 125. ASIN B000UD3LJO. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
4. Blake, Bernard (1988). Jane's Weapon Systems, 1988-89. London: Jane's Information Group. p. 959. ISBN 978-0-7106-0855-0.