AGM-123 Skipper II

Early 1980, the company developed Emerson Electric, on behalf of the U.S. Navy a short-range air -to-ground missile, which should combat ships. Unlike other programs, however, there should be no new development, but it should be made ​​of existing components. So II was used as a starting point the laser-guided bomb GBU -16 Paveway. At the GBU- 16, the drive section of an AGM -45 Shrike was mounted and adjusted the electronics and the various components. Out came the AGM -123 Skipper II The first prototypes were tested in 1980 and in 1985 came the order for the production of 2500 AGM- 123. As a carrier aircraft almost only the A -6E Intruder was used. The skipper also revealed weaknesses. According to the manufacturer, it has a range of 55 km, but this was never achieved in everyday use. Main problem was the laser target designator, which limited the range to 25 km.

Depending on the source, it should still give an improved AGM- 123 and AGM- 123B in which especially the electronics has been revised. Should have developed this variant Texas Instruments. How many were built or if it is ever enters the troop service is unclear.

From the mid- 1990s studied the U.S. Navy AGM -123 phased out. She is no longer in service.

Worth mentioning

The name of AGM -123 skipper II suggests that there was a skipper I, but this is not the case. The name comes from Paveway II II

Similar Models

• AGM -130