Long-range, precise air-launched air-to-ground standoff cruise missile
AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER
The AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER (Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response) is an advanced stand off precision-guided , air-launched cruise missile produced by Boeing Defense, Space & Security for the United States Armed Forces and their allies. Developed from the AGM-84E SLAM (Standoff Land Attack Missile, itself developed by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems from the McDonnell Douglas Harpoon anti-ship missile ), the SLAM-ER is capable of attacking land and sea targets medium to long range (over 155 nautical miles/270 km maximum).[ 7] The SLAM-ER relies on the Global Positioning System (GPS) and infrared imaging for its navigation and control, and it can strike both moving and stationary targets.
The SLAM-ER can be remotely controlled while in flight, and it can be redirected to another target after launch if the original target has already been destroyed, or is no longer considered to be dangerous (command guidance ).[ 1] [ 8] The SLAM-ER is a very accurate weapon; as of 2009 it had the best circular error probable (CEP) of any missile used by the U.S. Navy .[ 1]
History
In 1999, Boeing and the U.S. Navy conducted a live fire of a SLAM-ER from an F/A-18 Hornet on the decommissioned USS Dale (CG-19) off the coast of Puerto Rico .[ 9]
The SLAM-ER obtained initial operating capability in June 2000. A total of three SLAM-ER missiles were fired by the U.S. Navy during the Iraq War ,[ 10] and the missile was also used during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan .
The General Electric Company provides an Automatic Target Recognition Unit (ATRU) for the SLAM-ER[ 11] that processes prelaunch and postlaunch targeting data, allows high speed video comparison (DSMAC ), and enables the SLAM-ER to be used in a true "fire and forget " manner. It also includes a "man-in-the-loop " mode, where the pilot or weapons system officer can designate the point of impact precisely, even if the target has no distinguishing infrared signature .[ 8]
It can be launched and controlled by a variety of aircraft including the F/A-18 Hornet , F/A-18 Super Hornet , F-16 Block 50+ and P-3C Orion , as well as by some F-15E Strike Eagle . The S-3B Viking was also able to launch and control the SLAM-ER. The South Korean Air Force 's version of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-15K Slam Eagle, has been capable of launching and controlling the SLAM-ER since 2006 in test exercises.[ 12]
In 2020, a proposal was put to Congress to allow the sale of the SLAM-ER to Taiwan .[ 13]
Operators
Map with SLAM-ER operators in blue
References
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "SLAM-ER Missile" . Fact File United . The US Navy. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020.
^ "Contracts For May 13, 2020: Navy" . Defense. Archived from the original on 5 August 2020.
^ "SLAM-ER Missile" . Navy.
^ a b Parsch, Andreas. "AGM/RGM/UGM-84." Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles . 2008. 22 July 2013.
^ https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/navy/ntsp/agm-84-d_2002.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwin7YmQtr3gAhXyQ98KHX12CWMQFjAGegQIDBAB&usg=AOvVaw2_aG8taXAo2pLyFPfF7k-9 [dead link ]
^ a b "AGM-84 Harpoon / SLAM [Stand-Off Land Attack Missile]." Military Analysis Network . Federation of American Scientists, 22 July 2013. Web. 22 July 2013.
^ Kelly, Katie (October 2015). "Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM ER)" (PDF) . Boeing. Retrieved 25 August 2022 .
^ a b "Boeing SLAM-ER Backgrounder" (PDF) . Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 April 2012.
^ Frost, Patricia. "U.S. Navy Conducts Live Warhead Firing of Boeing SLAM ER" . Boeing . Retrieved 21 June 2019 .
^ Cordesman, Anthony H. The Iraq War: Strategy, Tactics, and Military Lessons. (Washington: CSIS Press, 2003) 296.
^ "Automatic Target Recognition Unit (ATRU)" . Archived from the original on 15 January 2010.
^ "F-15K Makes History with SLAM-ER Release" . 27 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 February 2012.
^ Wong, Edward (17 September 2020). "U.S. Pushes Large Arms Sale to Taiwan, Including Jet Missiles That Can Hit China" . The New York Times . Retrieved 17 September 2020 .
^ a b "Washington Beef up the Gulf States with 10,000 Strike Weapons Worth US$10 Billion" . Defense Update. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013 .
^ "Republic of Korea Chooses Boeing SLAM-ER Missile" . Boeing. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2013 .
^ Chuanren, Chen. "U.S. Approves SLAM-ER and MS-110 Pods for Taiwan" . Aviation International News .
^ "SLAM-ER and Harpoon Foreign Military Sales" . www.deagel.com .
External links
Harpoon missile variants
Harpoon anti-ship missile
Air-launched
AGM-84A
AGM-84B
AGM-84C
AGM-84D
AGM-84F
AGM-84G
AGM-84J
AGM-84L
AGM-84M
Surface ship-launched
RGM-84A
RGM-84B
RGM-84C
RGM-84D
RGM-84F
RGM-84G
RGM-84J
RGM-84L
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Submarine-launched
UGM-84A
UGM-84B
UGM-84C
UGM-84D
UGM-84G
Standoff Land Attack Missile
Air-launched
Surface ship-launched
RGM-84E (production canceled)
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