
Two complete Harpoon systems, consisting of four Mk.141 launchers with sixteen RGM-84 missiles It was envisaged at first as an air and surface-ship weapon, but also replaced the proposed submarine missile, STAM studies of an encapsulated version for torpedo tube launch began in 1972.ĭuring her reactivation, Iowa received the RGM-84 Harpoon cruise missile system that gave the ship a long-range strike capability against surface targets. Technical evaluation was completed in June 1975, delayed by some extent by small system problems however, Harpoon was operationally evaluated in 1977, production beginning that year. Requests for quotation were issued in January 1971, a prime contractor (McDonnell Douglas) being selected that June, without flyoff, given the cost and urgency of the program. The canister launcher avoids intrusion into AAW and ASW weapon capacity at a relatively low cost in ship space and weight. It did not materially reduce shipboard resources already provided for major naval missions such as antiair and antisubmarine warfare. Navy's answer to the massive Soviet force of anti-ship missile ships.īegun under the FY68 program as a 50nm anti-ship missile, suitable for air platforms but by 1970 extended to ship launch, to increase US anti-ship missile firepower to make up for the declining strength of the carrier force.Īs procured it did not require a dedicated launcher although in many cases one was provided.

Harpoon missle archive#
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