IOC: 1972
Total Production: 107,108
Total Program's Cost: USD$8.3 billion
AGM-65K Maverick
Unitary Cost: USD$50,000
Origin:United States of America
Contractor/s:
Raytheon
Description:
The AGM-65 Maverick is a tactical air-to-surface missile designed to strike a wide range of surface fixed or moving targets. Maverick can be released from safe range minimizing exposure to the enemy's air defenses. AGM-65 is a modular design weapon allowing a different combination of warhead and guidance package. Due to this the Maverick evolved from TV-guided A model to current CCD-TV-guided H/K models. Maverick was used during operation Desert Storm, in 1991, achieving 85% of success rate. All Maverick models are powered by a single Thiokol TX-481 solid-propellant rocket motor.
The Maverick missile can be fired from virtually any western aircraft fighter. It has also been integrated on helicopters. For example AH-1W Super Cobra and New Zealand's Sea Sprite helicopters. Due to its characteristics Maverick is suitable even against small ships or boats. From 1972 to date more than 65,000 Maverick missiles have been produced for the United States and 27 international customers.
The AGM-65K missiles should be an updated derivative of AGM-65G. G's guidance section would be replaced with a 480x480 pixels CCD-TV sensor, the same used in H models, plus modern hardware and software. CCD-TV sensor will provide mainly clearer picture and longer standoff range.
The AGM-65K missile was employed successfully for the first time in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Subsequently generating international interest in upgrading existing TV Maverick inventories to the H/K version.
Specifications Dimensions: Diameter 300 mm, Length 2.5 m, Width 710 mm
Weights: Max Weight 360 kg (794 lb), Warhead 136 kg (300 lb)
Performance: Max Range 24,000 m (78,740 ft), Min Range 100 m (328 ft)
United States of America