Popeye (missile)
AGM -142 is the name of a developed in Israel missile.
End of the 1980s began with the Israeli company Rafael Armament Development Authority, the development of an air - to-ground missile with a modular structure, which bore the name of Popeye. This was equipped with a TV seeker and had a two-way communication link. This two -way communication allows to correct the trajectory after launching of the missile. The production for the Israel Defense Forces began in 1989.
AGM -142 Have Nap
The U.S. Air Force began to be interested in the Popeye Already in 1988, as for the B -52 nuclear missiles were no longer needed. The Air Force named the new air - to-ground missile AGM -142 Raptor - but there was a problem with the new name, as the Lockheed Martin developed from 1991 F -22 already had the name Raptor. Thus, the Air Force was forced to seek a new name. This was Have Nap and so could 1992, the AGM -142 finally be put into service. The only aircraft in the inventory of the U.S. Air Force, which can use the AGM -142, the B- 52H.
The AGM- 142B differs from the original model only by a modified TV - seeker, who can now evaluate and infrared signals. Another variant is the AGM- 142C. This was only equipped with a 350 kg heavy warhead now. A mixture of B- and C- version is the AGM- 142D, which utilizes the TV-/IR-Suchkopf and heavy warhead.
In 1996, the RAAF announced that she was interested in the AGM- 142; as a carrier aircraft, the General Dynamics F -111 should be used. The negotiations dragged on until December 14, 1998 ( signing of contract). Was delivered to the RAAF, the AGM- 142E, which is equipped with an infrared seeker head, which has a zoom function (Z - seeker ), and with a 350 kg warhead.
The AGM- 142F is a variant that came to Israel. It has a modified wing design and is equipped with Z- seeker and the warhead of C-/D-Variante. According to South Korea, the AGM- 142G was delivered. For her, the warhead of C-/D-Varianten was used and adapted the software so that it can also be used by the McDonnell F- 4E. In addition, a CCD seeker head was fitted with her. Another South Korean variant is the AGM- 142H, which is an AGM- 142G with Z- seeker. Israel gave in 1999 50 Popeye in Turkey, she also uses for their F- 4 Phantom.
Overall, to date, over 500 AGM -142 A to D were delivered to the USAF, and despite the onset of a further development of the Popeye/AGM-142 one thinks about it, they replace it with the AGM -158 JASSM.
Popeye II
Is the development of Popeye/AGM-142, the Popeye II is often referred to as the Have Lite. The Popeye II has been designed so that it can be used by small aircraft. It is lighter and smaller than the AGM -142, with their various ground and sea targets can be controlled over a wide range. In 2002, the Have Lite was tested on an F-16 of the USAF for the first time.
Occasionally, the Popeye II is designated as AGM- 142B, but this is wrong.
Popeye Turbo
The Popeye Turbo variant was developed by Israel in order to use them from submarines Dolphin-class from can. The start is from a torpedo tube, whereby a solid rocket booster carried the missiles out of the water. Thereafter, the missile is driven by a turbojet engine. This elaborate drive concept allows longer ranges. The official range is given as 200 to 350 km, in unofficial tests of a longer version, however, about 1500 km have been achieved. The Popeye Turbo cruise missiles can carry nuclear warheads. Thus, the most important spots of the Iranian nuclear program within the reach of Israeli nuclear weapons. Either by Popeye turbos that are started from the Persian Gulf from Dolphin - class submarines -, or agricultural or airborne launchers from North Israel.
Specifications
Countries
- United States United States
- Israel Israel ( Popeye Turbo only Israel)
- Australia Australia
- Flag of South Korea South Korea
- Turkey Turkey