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ALARM

{{short description|British air-launched anti-radiation missile}}

{{about|the missile||Alarm (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox weapon

|name= ALARM{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/alarm.htm|title=ALARM, fas.org}}

|image= File:ALARM.jpeg

|caption= ALARM under the wing of a RAF Tornado GR4

|origin=

|type= Air-to-surface anti-radar missile

|is_ranged=

|is_bladed=

|is_explosive=

|is_artillery=

|is_vehicle=

|is_missile= yes

|is_UK= yes

|service= 1990

|used_by= See operators

|wars= Gulf War
Kosovo War
Iraq War
Libyan civil war (2011)
Yemeni Civil War (2014-present)
Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

|designer= BAe Dynamics

|design_date= 1982

|manufacturer=BAe Dynamics (1982–1999)
MBDA UK (since 1999)

|unit_cost=

|production_date= 1986–present

|number=

|variants=

|spec_label=

|weight= {{convert|268|kg|lb|abbr=on}}

|length= {{convert|4.24|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

|part_length=

|width=

|height=

|diameter= {{convert|230|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}

|crew=

|filling= Proximity fused high-explosive

|filling_weight=

|detonation= Laser Proximity

|yield=

|armour=

|primary_armament=

|secondary_armament=

|engine= Bayern Chemie two stage solid-fuel rocket motors

|engine_power=

|pw_ratio=

|transmission=

|payload_capacity=

|suspension=

|clearance=

|wingspan= {{convert|0.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

|propellant= solid-propellant

|fuel_capacity=

|vehicle_range= {{convert|93|km|mi|abbr=on}}

|ceiling=

|altitude=

|depth=

|boost=

|speed= {{convert|2455|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (supersonic)

|guidance= Pre-programmed/passive radar seeker

|steering=

|accuracy=

|launch_platform= Tornado GR.4, Tornado F3, J22 Orao

|transport=

|}}

ALARM (Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile) is a British anti-radiation missile designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). It was used by the RAF and is still used by the Royal Saudi Air Force.{{cite news |title=Saudis review F.3 air-defence role |work=Flight International|publisher=Reed Business Publishing |date=1991-12-25}} The weapon was retired by the UK at the end of 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/32800/uk-retires-alarm-missile |title=UK retires ALARM missile |last1=Scott |first1=Richard |date=21 January 2014 |publisher=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=15 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201222605/http://www.janes.com/article/32800/uk-retires-alarm-missile |archive-date=1 February 2014}}

History

The Ministry of Defence received offers for a new anti-radiation missile in late 1982; British Aerospace Dynamics offered ALARM while Texas Instruments teamed with Lucas Aerospace offered its HARM missile.{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom|title=Thatcher to resolve anti-radar missile row|work=Financial Times|date=1983-05-16}} Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine announced the selection of ALARM on 29 July 1983. The initial order was 750 missiles for the RAF.{{cite news |title=British Select Alarm Missile Over HARM |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=1983-07-08}} The selection process was controversial; the battle between the contractors was bitter, the Ministry of Defence favoured ALARM to retain UK industrial capabilities while the Treasury favoured the cheaper and proven HARM.{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom |title=Missile manufacturers bid for UK navy deal |work=Financial Times |date=1983-07-30}}

In early 1986, BAe recognised that Royal Ordnance was having difficulties delivering the missile's motor, named Nuthatch, and began to consider alternatives. Royal Ordnance's solution to the required burn-loiter-burn characteristic of the engine was complex.{{cite news |first=David |last=Buchan |title=BAe Cancels Missile Deal With Royal Ordnance |work=Financial Times |date=20 July 1987}} In July 1987, BAe, by then the owner of Royal Ordnance, replaced the Nuthatch motor with a lower risk motor designed by Bayern-Chemie.{{cite news |title=British Aerospace Delays Missile Program |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=21 September 1987}} BAe's £200 million contract for the missile was renegotiated with the price increased to £400 million and delivery pushed back from 1988 to 1990.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Evans |title=Missile bill for RAF up £150 million |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=18 March 1988}} The radar seeker was made by Marconi Space and Defence Systems (GEC) at Stanmore.[https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%202175.PDF Flight International 1990]

The ALARM missile was officially retired by the UK at the end of 2013, but continued to be used by the Saudis.[http://www.defensenews.com/articles/uk-supplied-precision-weapons-prove-popular-in-saudi-led-yemen-campaign UK-Supplied Precision Weapons Prove Popular in Saudi-Led Yemen Campaign] - Defensenews.com, 17 October 2016

Features

ALARM is a fire-and-forget system, with an added loiter capability. In loiter mode, ALARM will, when launched, climb to an altitude of {{convert|13000|m|ft}}. If the target radar shuts down, the missile will deploy a parachute and descend slowly until the radar lights up. The missile will then fire a secondary motor to attack the target.{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%201575.html |title=1987 {{!}} 1575 {{!}} Flight Archive |website=www.flightglobal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215150508/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%201575.html |archive-date=2015-02-15}}

Combat use

ALARM has been used in the following conflicts:

  • 1991 Gulf War (Operation Granby), during which 121 missiles were used.{{cite news |title=RAF Tornados begin Yugoslavia operations from Corsican base |work=Aerospace Daily & Defense Report |publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies |date=1999-06-03}}
  • Kosovo War (Operation Allied Force), during which 6 missiles were used.{{cite book|first=Anthony H|last=Cordesman|year=2000|title=The Lessons and Non-Lessons of the Air and Missile Campaign in Kosovo|page=339}}
  • 2003 invasion of Iraq (Operation Telic), during which 47 missiles were used.{{cite web |url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/raf/listings/l0039.html |title=RAF Weapons: Long-Range-Air-to-Surface Weapons |publisher=The Royal Air Force |access-date=15 February 2015}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-106432932.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045502/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-106432932.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Royal Air Force Dropped More Than 400 Enhanced Paveway Bombs During OIF|work=Defense Daily|date=8 July 2003|access-date=9 August 2015}}
  • 2011 Libya (Operation Ellamy).
  • 2015 Yemen.{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-09-14/46338|title=Yemen: Armed Conflict:Written question - 46338|website=UK Parliament|access-date=2016-10-17}}

Operators

File:ALARM missile, IWM North.jpg]]

=Current operators=

; {{SAU}}

=Former operators=

; {{UK}}

Specifications

  • Primary Function: Suppression of Enemy Air Defence
  • Contractor: MBDA
  • Power Plant: Bayern Chemie two stage solid propellant rocket motors
  • Length: 4.24 m
  • Diameter: 23 cm
  • Wing Span: 73 cm
  • Launch Weight: 268 kg
  • Speed: 2455 km/h (supersonic)
  • Warhead: Proximity fused high-explosive
  • Range: 93 km
  • Fuse: Laser Proximity
  • Guidance system: Pre-programmed/passive radar seeker
  • Unit Cost: undisclosed
  • Date Deployed: 1990
  • User: UK (RAF)
  • Tornado GR.4
  • Tornado F3: fitted in time for 2003 Gulf War, receiving designation Tornado EF3
  • Weapon has been "fit checked" on other RAF aircraft, such as the Jaguar. Due to its relatively large weight it is not suited to the entire RAF fleet.
  • Also was expected to be usable on the Eurofighter Typhoon, but this requirement was deleted.[http://www.nao.org.uk//idoc.ashx?docId=c02da1c8-320b-4062-881d-2c24482459b5&version=-1 Major Projects Report 2008, page 149(155)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205045159/http://www.nao.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docId=c02da1c8-320b-4062-881d-2c24482459b5&version=-1 |date=5 February 2011 }}. UK Ministry of Defence, 2008.

See also

{{div col}}

  • {{lwc|AGM-122 Sidearm}}
  • {{lwc|AGM-78 Standard ARM}}
  • {{lwc|AGM-88 HARM}}
  • {{lwc|AGM-45 Shrike}}
  • {{lwc|ARMAT}}
  • {{lwc|Kh-28}}
  • {{lwc|Kh-31}}
  • {{lwc|Kh-58}}
  • {{lwc|PL-12#LD-10|LD-10}}
  • {{lwc|MAR-1}}
  • {{lwc|Martel (missile)|Martel}}
  • {{lwc|Rudram-1 (missile)|Rudram-1}}
  • {{lwc|YJ-91}}

{{div col end}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

{{Commons category}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621053444/http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/alarm.cfm RAF: ALARM description]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20060811035837/http://www.bayernchemie-protac.com/rocket_motors_alarm.htm Bayern-Chemie]—Development and production of a rocket motor used by ALARM. More than 1,200 produced
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20120325235751/http://typhoon.starstreak.net/common/AG/alarm.html Matra-BAe Dynamics ALARM] at Eurofighter Typhoon—a brief history of ALARM
  • [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/raf/listings/l0039.html RAF Weapons] at armedforces.co.uk

{{UKmissiles}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the Cold War

Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the United Kingdom

Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the United Kingdom

Category:General Electric Company

Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s