AGM-123 Skipper II
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=AGM-123 Skipper II
| image= AGM-123 Skipper II.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=
|origin= United States
|type=Rocket assisted, low-level, laser-guided bomb
|used_by= United States Navy, United States Marine Corps
|manufacturer=Emerson Electric
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=1985-1990s{{Cite web|url=http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-123.html|title=Emerson Electric AGM-123 Skipper II|website=www.designation-systems.net}}
|engine=Aerojet Mk 78 dual-thrust solid-fueled rocket
|engine_power=
|weight=582 kg (1,283 lb)
|length=4.3 m (14 ft 1.2 in)
|height=
|diameter=0.5 m (1 ft 7.6 in)
|wingspan=1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)
|speed=1,100 km/h (680 mph)
|vehicle_range=25 km (15.5 statute miles)
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling=1000 lb (450 kg) Mk 83 bomb
|guidance= laser-guidance
|detonation= Impact-fuse
|launch_platform=
}}
AGM-123 Skipper II is a short-range laser-guided missile developed by the United States Navy. The Skipper was intended as an anti-ship weapon, capable of disabling the largest vessels with a 1,000-lb (450-kg) impact-fuzed warhead.
Design
The AGM-123 is composed out of a {{convert|1000|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} Mark 83 low-drag general purpose bomb fitted with a Paveway guidance kit and one Aerojet Mk 78 solid-propellant rocket that fires upon launch. The rocket allows the AGM-123 to be dropped farther away from the target than could free-fall bombs, which helps protect the delivery aircraft from surface-to-air-missiles and anti-aircraft artillery near the target.
The AGM-123 was developed at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center and was carried by the A-6E Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, and F/A-18.
Operational history
Four Skipper missiles launched by A-6E Intruders contributed to sinking the Iranian frigate Sahand during Operation Praying Mantis on April 18, 1988.{{cite web|url=http://irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30345346|title=Islamic Republic News Agency|access-date=20 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316174234/http://irna.ir/NewsShow.aspx?NID=30345346|archive-date=16 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all|language=fa}}
Skipper missiles were also fired in Operation Desert Storm against Iraqi surface vessels by A-6s and U.S. Marine aircraft.
Gallery
File:AGM-123 A-7 China Lake 1985.jpeg|An AGM-123A Skipper II low-level laser-guided missile mounted on the wing pylon of a Vought A-7
File:AGM-123 Skipper II with chasing A-6 Intruder.jpg|A U.S. Navy Grumman A-6E Intruder as its crew monitors the flight of two AGM-123A low-level, laser-guided missiles
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-123.html Designation systems] - Emerson Electric AGM-123 Skipper II
- [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/smart/agm-123.htm Federation of American Scientists] - AGM-123 Skipper II
{{US missiles}}
Category:Cold War anti-ship missiles of the United States
Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the United States