AGM-176 Griffin vs Nimrod (missile)

$127,333 (FY 2019)^[source]

2008–present^[source]

Blast-fragmentation^[source]

Solid fuel rocket^[source]

Laser , GPS or INS^[source]

MQ-1 , MQ-9 and other UAVs , Cyclone-class patrol ship^[source]

lightweight, precision-guided munition^[source]

long-range air-to-surface missile^[source]

Raytheon and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control developed the Griffin as a low-cost modular system, using components from earlier projects, including the FGM-148 Javelin and the AIM-9X Sidewinder . It was originally designed to be launched from the US Special Operations Command 's MC-130W Dragon Spear gunship and can be guided either by a semi-active laser seeker or with GPS . Its precision combined with a relatively small 13 lb (5.9 kg) warhead reduces collateral damage .^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The munition comes in two versions. Griffin A is an unpowered precision munition that can be dropped from a rear cargo door or a door-mounted launcher that can drop while the cabin is pressurized. Weighing 33 lb (15 kg) and measuring 3.6 ft (1.1 m) in length, it is launched from a 10-tube "Gunslinger" launcher that fits on the rear ramp of a Marine KC-130 tanker/transport or both the US Air Force AC-130W "Stinger II" and AC-130J "Ghostrider" gunship variants.^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The missile's folding fins allow it to be launched from a 5.5 in (140 mm) tube. It can be set to engage the target with height of burst, point detonation or fuze delay. The U.S. Navy has tested the Griffin as a shipboard missile guided by laser at fast-moving small boats; they planned to use it on the Littoral Combat Ships . The missile version is less than half the weight of a Hellfire round and includes a 13 lb (5.9 kg) warhead. It has a range of 9.3 miles (15.0 km) when air-launched, or 3.4 miles (5.5 km) when launched from the surface. It has been fired from the U.S. Army Remote weapon station , multi-round Wedge Launcher, Smart Launcher and Kiowa Warrior manned helicopters.^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Development; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Arming PCs with Griffin missiles adds a layer of defense to the ships beyond the range of their 25 mm gun mounts, out to 4.5 km (2.8 mi), and also provides 360-degree coverage; the missiles' thrust-vectoring engines can move the missile to its target even when launched vertically.^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Development / Naval use; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Raytheon is continuing to fund the development of the Sea Griffin to extend the missile's range. The Sea Griffin will use a dual-mode seeker with an imaging infrared seeker and semi-active laser guidance, and a data-link to track multiple threats simultaneously and give it a fire-and-forget capability. The new seeker and an extended-range rocket motor, which will add 20 lb (9.1 kg), will increase the range of the Sea Griffin to 9.3 miles (15.0 km). In tests, the Sea Griffin's new imaging infrared (IIR) seeker has streamed video back to operators through the data-link to provide verification before the missile strikes the target. Its In-Flight Target Update (IFTU) capability allows it to be redirected to a new target in mid-flight, a vital feature against swarming small boats moving between friendly forces and neutral shipping. The Sea Griffin has been renamed the Griffin C .^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Development / Naval use; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

AGM-176 Griffin B : 1st series version with rocket motor. For use from aircraft, helicopters, drones and vehicles. Range 3.7 miles (6.0 km).^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

BGM-176 Griffin C (Sea Griffin) : Version with infrared -seeker head and 2-way- data link . Range 9.3 miles (15.0 km).^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

AGM-176 Griffin C-er : version with a stronger rocket motor. Range 14.3 miles (23.0 km).^[source]AGM-176 Griffin · Variants; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Nimrod has a semi-active laser guidance system that operates day or night. Its flight trajectory can be set below obscuring cloud layers, while a forward reconnaissance scout team uses a laser designator to direct it from up to 26 km (16 mi).^[source]Nimrod (missile) · Lead; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Nimrod allows a gunner to pre-select a flight trajectory mode. This can be direct trajectory, high cruise trajectory or low cruise trajectory , the cruise altitude being constant and between 300–1,500 m (980–4,920 ft).^[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The gimballed and stabilised seeker head acquires, tracks and homes in on its target using localised proportional navigation. It is said to have a view angle of more than 30°. The seeker has a search area 5 km (3.1 mi) wide and deep. In the terminal flight phase, the weapon adopts a dive angle of approximately 45° to strike an armoured target on the thinner, more vulnerable upper surfaces.^[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

The missile is stored in a sealed canister which also acts as the launcher. Total weight of the missile and canister is 150 kg (330 lb). It has five main sections: seeker, guidance and control, warhead, solid-propellant rocket motor, and servo. It is roll-stabilised in flight. Time to come into action at a launch site is less than 3 minutes; there is no need to survey the site for alignment or levelling, nor does it require a direct line of sight to a target. The weapon can be fired in single-round, ripple, or salvo modes.^[source]Nimrod (missile) · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Effective range : 300 - 36,000 meters

Israel^[source]Inventory Origin column; table 4, row 5, cell 2; revision 1349150138; retrieved 2026-10-02

• Reported operator · USA

• Reported operator · Israel
• Reported operator · Colombia