Harpoon: The new weapon promised to Ukraine fires a missile every 2 seconds

Denmark has promised to supply Ukraine with an unknown quantity of Harpoon anti-ship launchers and missiles. The aim is to combat the naval blockade of Odessa by Russia. The third-largest Ukrainian city on the northwest coast of the Black Sea is currently experiencing economic devastation due to the Vladimir Putin-led invasion.

The region is home to the country’s largest commercial sea port, where millions of tons of grain were stranded for export due to the Russian siege.

Modern missiles were discussed at the second meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group held via videoconference on 23 May. “We have received approval to strengthen our coastal defense. In particular, we are talking about Harpoon anti-ship launchers and missiles,” Ukraine’s defense minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on a Telegram channel.

According to Reuters, three US officials and two US congressional sources confirmed that both the Harpoon and the naval attack missile could be sent directly to Ukraine or transferred via a European ally that owns them.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said about 20 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member states have announced new security aid packages for Ukrainians.

The arsenal will include artillery, tanks, attack helicopters, as well as other armored vehicles and rocket systems. The US will send a system of medium-range missile launchers, as well as Javelin and other weapons.

Last month, Britain promised to send “hundreds” of Brimstone anti-ship missiles to Ukraine to strengthen its naval defences.

Land-based anti-ship missiles have proven their effectiveness in the current war. In April, the cruiser Moskva sank after being hit by two Ukrainian missiles. Before it caught fire and sank, the ship was the main ship of the Russian fleet.

That is, the use of anti-ship missiles could help Ukraine break the naval blockade of Odessa, which would allow the resumption of grain exports via the Black Sea.

Here are some features of Harpoon:

‘Harpoon to kill whale’

Produced in 1975, the Harpoon was designed as a long-range missile to be used against surface submarine targets. Hence the name (“harpoon to kill whales” is a nickname for submarines in the U.S. Navy), according to Brazilian website Sistema de Armas.

Originally designed for air launch by the US Navy, it was eventually adapted for launch from the US Air Force’s B-52G bombers because they could carry 8 to 12 units.

The gun manufactured by Boeing today could cost more than $1 million per unit.

One missile every two seconds

The harpoon has a length of 3.85 meters, a diameter of 34.3 cm, a wingspan of 91 cm and a launch weight of 556 kg.

Size was limited to use the same launcher as the Standard missile, but is usually carried in a container.

The launchers can fire one missile every two seconds and up to four missiles simultaneously. They reach an altitude of 430 meters and aim at 180 degrees to the launch pad or 90 degrees to either side of the launcher.

Efficient capture and standardized search

The harpoon is directional and mid-range. It flies using GPS coordinates to attack the enemy and follows the low altitude trajectory to increase the missile’s own accuracy and survivability.

Possible launch pads are:

• Airplanes (AGM-84);
• rocket-propelled ships (RGM-84), which are launched after firing;
• Submarines with rockets and capsules for underwater shooting with a torpedo tube (UGM-84);
• Coastal defense batteries.

It has four shooting modes and active-guided radar technology. One of the modes allows direct fire on the target with radar activation after a short time and search at a 45 degree angle to either side. If it does not hit the target, the missile begins a standard search. If it doesn’t hit any targets, the missile will self-destruct.

When the target is detected, the missile switches to guidance mode. The search range can be configured for long and short distances. However, the short range is less susceptible to electronic interference.

The position of the target must also be provided with great precision.

Reports from the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense indicate that tactical training for the use of the Harpoon is expected to last only 14 days.