Maverick is a TV, imaging IR, or laser-guided standoff air-to-surface missile employed by fighter/attack aircraft against tanks, vehicles, and air defenses. It was first employed during the Vietnam War and was used extensively in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom.
AGM-65B is a launch-and-leave, EO/TV guided missile, equipped with “scene magnification,” allowing acquisition of small/distant targets.
Fielded in 1986, AGM-65D employs an imaging IR seeker for all-weather day/night use. The AGM-65E is laser guided with a heavyweight penetrator warhead.
The AGM-65G, fielded in 1989, combines an imaging IR seeker, software to track larger targets, with a heavyweight penetrator warhead, digital autopilot, and pneumatic actuation system.
The AGM-65H is an upgraded B variant that recently completed tracker upgrades.
The AGM-65K is a modified G variant that replaces IR guidance with EO TV and is also undergoing a tracker upgrade. The AGM-65L is the most recent EO TV/semiactive-laser seeker equipped “Laser Maverick” designed to strike high-speed moving targets.
USAF is gradually modifying legacy missiles to Laser Maverick standards but is not currently procuring additional weapons.
AGM-65 Maverick Technical Data
Contractors: Raytheon (missile body); Northrop Grumman (propulsion).
First Flight: August 1969.
Delivered: August 1972.
IOC: February 1973.
Active Variants: •AGM-65B. A launch-and-leave EO TV seeker variant. •AGM-65D. Adverse weather B variant. •AGM-65E. Laser-guided version heavyweight penetrator variant. •AGM-65G. Imaging IR seeker heavyweight penetrator variant. •AGM-65H. Upgraded B variant. •AGM-65K. Modified EO TV seeker G variant. •AGM-65L. Laser-guided EO TV seeker variant for fast-moving targets.
Dimensions: Span 2.3 ft, length 8.2 ft, diameter 12 in.
Propulsion: Supersonic, approx. 714 mph, range 20 miles.
Performance: Supersonic, range 20 miles.
Guidance: EO TV guidance system (B/H/K); imaging IR seeker (D/G); laser seeker (E).
Warhead: 125-lb cone-shaped (B/D/H); 300-lb delayed-fuse penetrator (E/G/K).