SLAM ER Missile Systems

Description: The AGM-84K Standoff Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), an evolutionary upgrade to the combat-proven SLAM, is an air-launched, day/night, adverse weather, over-the-horizon, precision strike missile. SLAM-ER achieved IOC in June 2000.

Features: SLAM-ER addresses the Navy's requirements for a precision-guided Standoff Outside of Area Defense (SOAD) weapon. SLAM-ER provides an effective, long range, precision strike option for both pre-planned and Target of Opportunity attack missions against land and maneuvering ship targets.

Most significant characteristics are: a highly accurate, GPS-aided guidance system; an imaging infrared seeker and two-way data link with the AWW-13 Advanced Data Link pod for Man-In-The-Loop (MITL) control; improved missile aerodynamic performance characteristics that allow both long range and flexible terminal attack profiles; an ordnance section with good penetrating power and lethality; and a user-friendly interface for both MITL control and mission planning. SLAM-ER was the first weapon to feature Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA), a revolutionary technological breakthrough that helps improve target acquisition in cluttered scenes, overcomes most IR countermeasures, and mitigates the effects of environmentally degraded conditions. The SLAM-ER is also the first weapon system with a moving target capability from standoff ranges. The SLAM-ER can be launched and controlled by F/A-18C/D, P-3s, and S-3 platforms. It can also be controlled by the F/A-18E/F. The SLAM-ER is extremely accurate, and has the best Circular Area of Probable (CEP) in the U.S. Navy’s inventory. The SLAM-ER remains the U.S. Navy’s only precision SOAD weapon.

Background: SLAM-ER roots go back to the original Harpoon anti-ship missile placed in the fleet in the late 1970s. Because of emerging operational requirements, the Standoff Land Attack Missile (SLAM) was developed as a derivative of the Harpoon. This baseline SLAM missile system was developed and fielded in less than 48 months, and was successfully employed by F/A-18 and A-6 aircrews in Desert Storm even before operational testing had begun. The potential of SLAM spurred further development of its standoff capabilities to provide even greater improvements in range, accuracy, warhead penetration, dive angle and mission planning. Because of the Navy's growing focus on littoral warfare, SLAM-ER program initiatives were formalized in December 1994 when the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition gave the go-ahead to proceed with engineering and manufacturing development and accelerate SLAM-ER production and deployment to the Fleet.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Long range, air-launched precision land and sea attack cruise missile
Contractor: The Boeing Company
Power Plant: Teledyne Turbojet
Thrust: Greater than 600 pounds
Length: 172 inches (4.4 m)
Weight: 1,488 pounds (674.5 kg)
Diameter: 13.5 inches (34.3 cm)
Wing Span: 7.2 feet (2.2 m)
Range: Over-the-horizon, in excess of 135 nautical miles (250 km)
Speed: High Subsonic
Guidance: Ring Laser Gyro Inertial Navigation System (INS) with multi-channel GPS; infrared seeker for terminal guidance with Man-in-the-Loop control data link from the controlling aircraft. Upgraded missiles incorporate Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA)
Unit Cost: $500,000
Date Deployed: June 2000