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AGM-78 Standard Antiradiation Missile

Originally developed by the U.S. Navy, the Standard ARM possessed several improvements over the earlier Shrike. It could be launched from outside the range of the SA-2, with the missile guiding on the radar energy like the earlier Shrike (in fact, the first AGM-78s used Shrike seeker heads). The Standard had a memory chip that fixed on the radar's location and continued to guide even if the enemy shut down the radar. The AGM-78 could turn up to 180 degrees after firing, so Wild Weasel aircraft did not have to be pointed directly at a site. Another improvement was the much larger warhead that caused greater damage.

Production began in 1968 and successive improvements led to three more models with better seeks, better protection against countermeasures and increased range. Production ceased in 1978 after about 700 were built.

The AGM-78 on display was transferred to the museum from the Navy in September 1983.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Weight:
(model dependent) 1,350-1,800 lbs.
Propulsion: Aerojet Mk 27, Mod 4 solid rocket motor
Warhead: 223-lb. blast-fragmentation type
Fusing: Proximity
Range: Up to 75 statute miles
Maximum launch speed: Mach 2

Click here to return to the Southeast Asia War Gallery or here to return to First In, Last Out: Wild Weasels vs. SAMs.

 

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AGM-45 Shrike Anti-Radar Missile
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