AGM-122 Sidearm
| AGM-122 Sidearm | |
|---|---|
| Type | Anti-radiation missile |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1986 |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Motorola |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 195 lb (88.5 kg) |
| Length | 9 ft 5 in (2.870 m) |
| Diameter | 5 in (127.0 mm) |
| Warhead | 25 lb (11.3 kg) WDU-31/B Continuous-rod warhead |
|
|
|
| Engine | Hercules Mk 36 Mod 11 solid fuel rocket |
| Wingspan | 24.8 in (629.9 mm) |
|
Operational
range |
18,044 yd (16.5 km) |
| Speed | Mach 2.3 |
|
Guidance
system |
Narrow-band passive radar seeker |
|
Launch
platform |
AV-8B Harrier AH-1 Super Cobra AH-64 Apache Other aircraft |
The AGM-122 Sidearm was an American air-to-surface anti-radiation missile produced between 1986 and 1990. Not as capable as newer anti-radiation missiles, they were cheaper and lighter in weight allowing more versatile deployment.
The AGM-122 Sidearm was produced by the re-manufacture of AIM-9C missiles that had been taken out of service. The AIM-9C was a semi-active radar homing variant of the Sidewinder, developed for the US Navy's Vought F-8 Crusader, but used for only a limited period of time. Conceived and developed at China Lake NAWC, the Sidearm was first tested in 1981. In 1984, Motorola was issued a contract to convert and upgrade AIM-9Cs to AGM-122A standard. A total of about 700 units were produced between 1986 and 1990.
Existing stocks of Sidearm have been depleted, and the missile is no longer in service. Proposals for new-build missiles, under the designation AGM-122B, have not been proceeded with to date.
The AGM-122 was less capable than newer antiradiation missiles, such as the AGM-88 HARM, but also substantially cheaper, and its lighter weight enabled it to be carried by combat helicopters as well as fighter aircraft and fighter bombers.
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