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Missiles2008–presentProfile in progress
Air-to-surface missile , Surface-to-surface missile
AGM-176 Griffin is a air-to-surface missile , Surface-to-surface missile originating in United States. It was built by Raytheon. Reported operators include United States Air Force United States Navy United States Marine Corps Central Intelligence Agency.
United StatesAir-to-surface missile , Surface-to-surface missile
United States
2008–present
United States Air Force United States Navy United States Marine Corps Central Intelligence Agency
War in Afghanistan Iraq War Syrian Civil War
Raytheon
$127,333 (FY 2019)
2008–present
45 pounds (20 kg) (w/ launch tube)
42 inches (110 cm)
5.5 inches (140 mm)
Blast-fragmentation
13 lb (5.9 kg)
Solid fuel rocket
5 mi (8.0 km) from surface; 12.5 miles (20.1 km) from altitude
Laser , GPS or INS
MQ-1 , MQ-9 and other UAVs , Cyclone-class patrol ship
USA
The AGM-176 Griffin is a lightweight, precision-guided munition developed by Raytheon .
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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).
BGM-176 Griffin C (Sea Griffin) : Version with infrared -seeker head and 2-way- data link . Range 9.3 miles (15.0 km).
AGM-176 Griffin C-er : version with a stronger rocket motor. Range 14.3 miles (23.0 km).
Reference text from Wikipedia contributors, used under CC BY-SA 4.0.
True scale
Sourced dimensions beside a 1.75 m human reference.
AGM-176 Griffin equipment records. Variants, orders and quantities are shown as reported in each inventory source; coverage is incomplete.
United States Air Force United States Navy United States Marine Corps Central Intelligence Agency
Equipment reference ↗