Hellfire is a low-collateral-damage, precision air-to-ground missile with semi-active laser guidance for use against light armor and personnel. Missiles are employed on the MQ-9 Reaper and the AC-130J gunship. Hellfire is procured through the Army and numerous variants are utilized based on overseas contingency demands. An MQ-1 Predator employed Hellfire in combat for the first time in Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2001.
The latest AGM-114R replaces several types with a single, multitarget weapon, and USAF is also buying variable height-of-burst (HOB) kits to enhance lethality. The next-generation Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) is also procured via the Army and adds a modernized multimode guidance section to the AGM-114R. JAGM is used against high-value moving or stationary targets in any weather.
FY26 funds USSOCOM development and procurement of the new Selectable Precision Effects Articulated (SPEAR) warhead allowing forward or radial blast patterns, depending on the target.
AGM-114 Hellfire Technical Data
Contractors: Lockheed Martin (missile body); Northrop Grumman (propulsion).
First Flight: Feb. 16, 2000 (USAF).
Delivered: March 2016-present
IOC: N/A.
Active Variants: •AGM-114. Numerous subvariants, depending on target and mission requirements. •AGM-169. JAGM, incorporating a multimode seeker on the advanced AGM-114R.
Dimensions: Span 28 in, length 5.33 ft, diameter 17 in.
Propulsion: Solid-propellant rocket motor.
Performance: Subsonic, range 5+ miles.
Guidance: EO TV guidance system (B/H/K); IIR seeker (D/G); laser seeker (E).
Warhead: Shaped charge and blast fragmentation.
Integration: AC-130J, MQ-9.