SERVICE GUIDED MISSILES
Missiles have been operational for several years.
Still, research on missiles continuously produces
changes in the missile field. The missiles discussed in
this manual are presently operational.
Sparrow III Guided Missile
The AIM-7F/M missile (fig. 3-6) is a supersonic,
air-to-air DTRM, guided missile. It is designed to be
rail or ejection launched from an interceptor aircraft.
The missile’s tactical mission is to intercept and destroy
enemy aircraft in all-weather environments. It is
designed to be launched from the F-14 and F/A-18
aircraft.
The AIM-7F/M missile is a semiactive missile.
Missile guidance depends on RF energy radiated by the
launching aircraft and reflected by the target. Excluding
the radome, the missile body has four sectional tubular
shells that house the major functional components. The
four major functional components are the target seeker,
flight control, warhead, and rocket motor. The overall
length of the missile is approximately 142 inches with
a diameter of 8 inches. It weighs approximately 510
pounds.
The missile is issued to the fleet as an
all-up-round (AUR). The only assembly required at
fleet level is the installation of the wing and fin
assemblies, which are shipped in separate shipping
containers.
The radome is ceramic and forms the nose piece of
the missile. It does not obstruct RF energy. It covers
the RF head assembly of the target seeker and provides
protection against environmental damage.
The target seeker receives and interprets the radar
energy reflected from the target. Then it produces
signals that are sent to the flight control section to direct
the missile to intercept the target or come within lethal
range of it.
The flight control consists of the autopilot and the
hydraulic group. These function to provide control
signals and mechanical energy to move the external
control surfaces that guide the missile toward the point
of intercept, and to stabilize the missile in pitch, yaw,
and roll.
The warhead is located between the target seeker
and flight control section.
The warhead is
explosive-loaded, and it contains the fuze, fuze booster
charge, and the safety and arming (S&A) device. It is a
continuous-rod type of warhead. At detonation, the rod
sections expand into a continuous ring. Target kill is
accomplished by collision of the continuous ring with
the target. Detonation is triggered either by a fuze pulse
from the target seeker at the nearest point of intercept or
a fuze pulse from the flight control upon impact with the
target,
The DTRM attaches to the aft end of the missile
flight control section. It is equipped with a SAFE/ARM
igniter assembly that is manually locked in either the
SAFE or ARMED position. This switch can only be
repositioned with an arming key. When in the SAFE
position, the arming key cannot be removed. This
switch prevents accidental firing of the motor. It should
not be moved to the ARMED position until immediately
before aircraft launch.
The control surfaces consist of four delta-shaped
wing and fin assemblies. The wings and fins are
designed for quick attachment and release without the
use of tools. The wing assemblies attach to the flight
control section, which controls their rotary motion to
produce the desired pitch, yaw, and roll. The tail fin
assemblies attach to fittings on the rear of the rocket
motor and provide stability to the missile.
Another series of the Sparrow III guided missile is
the RIM-7E and RIM-7H. These missiles are
surface-to-air guided missiles. They are used in some
ships in the ship’s Basic Point Defense Surface Missile
System (BPDSMS) and Improved Point Defense
Surface Missile System (IPDSMS), respectively. As an
Aviation Ordnanceman, your responsibility for these
missiles is in the area of handling and stowage only.
For further information concerning the Sparrow III
(series) missiles, refer to publication organizational,
Intermediate, and Depot Maintenance Instruction
Manual with Illustrated Parts Breakdown, NAVAIR
01-265GMAD-9-3 (series).
Harpoon Guided Missile
The Harpoon surface attack guided missile,
AGM-84 series (AGM-84/C/D Tactical) air-launched
3-9
