Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Ukraine received a lot of valuable Western weapon systems. One of them – the AGM-88 HARM air-to-surface anti-radiation missile. While the work of these weapons often goes unnoticed, the Air Force of Ukraine does post pictures of the HARM in use once in a while.
Ukrainian MiG-29 launching a HARM missile. Ukrainians can also use their Su-27s and F-16s for that too. Image credit: Mil.gov.ua via Wikimedia (CC BY 4.0)
The AGM-88 HARM is an American anti-radiation missile, in service since 1985. It is a 4.17-metre-long missile with a diameter of 254 mm and a single task – to destroy the enemy’s surface-to-air radar systems. Basically, radars that are observing the air space emit a specific radiation signature. These devices emit radio waves and then observe their reflection. This echo allows these radars to gather information about aerial objects – planes, drones, cruise missiles, etc. All air defence systems use radar information to know when and what targets they need to engage.
The HARM is able to detect and identify those radar signals and fly towards the direction of their source. The range depends on the version of the missile as well as the altitude at which it was launched. The missiles that Ukraine uses typically fly for 25-80 km. They can lock onto airborne targets (combat aircraft have their own onboard radars. The best thing about the HARM missiles is that they are able to target radars with minimal aircrew input. This made it possible to integrate the HARM with Soviet jet fighters.
The AGM-88 HARM, of course, wasn’t made with Soviet aircraft in mind (unless on the side of the target). Meanwhile, Ukraine relies heavily on Soviet jet fighters. Even though it took months and it certainly wasn’t easy, they managed to teach MiG-29s and Su-27s to fire these missiles.
Of course, now Ukraine also operates a handful of F-16s, which can use HARM missiles without modifications. It is not entirely known whether soviet jet fighters can take full advantage of the HARM missile or are there some things that could not be integrated. However, Ukraine has been using these missiles since August 2022 and no negative reception has ever surfaced.
Once the AGM-88 HARM reaches the radar it’s targeting, the destruction is unavoidable. It is a 361 kg missile (newer versions are heavier) with a 68 kg blast-fragmentation warhead. That is plenty powerful enough to destroy a large radar system, like one of those that large air defence systems use. And the HARM has some victories in Ukraine, even if they are not publicly advertised a lot.
Hopefully, with Ukraine having more Western jet fighters, their choice of air-launched missiles is also going to expand. Jet fighters are not just aircraft – they are weapons’ platforms. And having those platforms opens up new avenues for military aid.
Written by Povilas M.
Sources: Osinttechnical on X, Wikipedia
