HELLFIRE MISSILE

Developed

 It was developed by in 1972 to counter Soviet tanks and is used against armored vehicles. It is used on UAVs like Predator and Reaper drones.

Purpose

Hellfire is an air-to-ground, laser-guided, subsonic missile with significant anti-tank capacity. It can also be used as an air-to-air weapon against helicopters or slow-moving fixed-wing aircraft.

Primary Targets

Armored vehicles, tanks, bunkers, radar systems, antennas, communications equipment, soft targets, hovering helicopters.

Used by

US Military and 30 US allies.

Compatible UAVs

MQ-1B Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-1C Grey Eagle.

Propulsion

Single-stage solid-propellant solid-fuel rocket motor. The Air-to-Ground (AGM)-114 provides precision striking power against tanks, structures, bunkers and helicopters.

Maximum Velocity

950 mph.

Range

7-11 km.

Variant

Hellfire II Missile Range (It has a range of 7.1–11 km depending on the trajectory. The Hellfire II is a multipurpose missile that can be launched from helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, surface ships, and military ground vehicles. It uses a semi-active laser guidance system and a K-charge multipurpose warhead.)

Launch Platforms

Fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, surface ships, military ground vehicles.

Guidance System

Semi-active laser guidance weapons (They attack the target by detecting the encoded laser spot projected by the designator which is operated by a human being or automatic platform).

Warhead

Integrated blast fragmentation sleeve warhead.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Critically analyze the technological advancements and strategic implications of the Hellfire missile. Also, discuss the ethical considerations surrounding the use of such precision-guided munitions. (150 words)