Mission
The
AGM-130A is a powered air-to-surface missile designed for high- and low-altitude
strikes at standoff ranges against a variety of targets.
Features
Carrying
forward the modular concept of the GBU-15 guided weapon system, the AGM-130A employs
a rocket motor for extended range and an altimeter for altitude control. The AGM-130A
will provide a significantly increased standoff range beyond that of the GBU-15.
The
AGM-130A is equipped with either a television or an imaging infrared seeker and
data link. The seeker provides the launch aircraft a visual presentation of the
target as seen from the weapon. During free flight this presentation is transmitted
by the AXQ-14 data-link system to the aircraft cockpit monitor.
The seeker
can be either locked onto the target before or after launch for automatic weapon
guidance, or it can be manually steered by the weapon systems officer. Manual
steering is performed through the two-way data link.
The AGM-130A is designed
to be used with F-15E aircraft. Development of the AGM-130A began in 1984 as a
product improvement of the GBU-15 guided glide bomb.
Background
For
the primary mode of operation, the aircraft flies to a pre-briefed launch position.
Survivability of aircraft and crew is enhanced by launching the weapon at low
altitude and significant standoff range, thus avoiding detection by enemy air
defenses. After launch, the weapon flies through glide-powered-glide phases toward
the target area with midcourse guidance updates provided by global positioning
system (GPS) navigational information or through the data link.
Upon termination
of the powered flight phase the rocket motor is ejected. As the target comes into
view, the weapon systems officer has dual flexibility in guiding the weapon via
the data link. For automatic terminal homing, the guidance tracker is locked on
target but can be manually updated for precision bombing. When total manual guidance
is used, the operator manually guides the weapon to the target aimpoint. For those
aircraft not equipped with a data-link pod, the weapon may be launched in the
direct attack mode.
The first unit was operational in 1994.
General
Characteristics
Primary Function: Air-to-surface guided and powered
bomb
Contractor: Rockwell International Corp.
Thrust: Classified
Length:
12 feet, 10.5 inches (3.90 meters)
Launch Weight: 2,917 pounds (1,312.65
kilograms)
Diameter: 18 inches (45.72 centimeters)
Wingspan: 59 inches
(149.86 centimeters)
Range: Classified
Ceiling: 30,000-plus feet (9,091
meters)
Speed: Classified
Guidance System: television or imaging infrared
seeker
Date Deployed: 1994
Unit Cost: Less than $300,000 per missile
Inventory:
The missile is in production. When in the inventory the number will be classified.
Current total projected weapon procurement is approximately 600 weapons.
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