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AGM-114 Hellfire

Lockheed Martin · Air-to-Surface · USA · Cold War (1970–1991)

The AGM-114 Hellfire is an American air-to-surface guided missile — Lockheed Martin's principal helicopter + UAV anti-armour weapon + the most-produced precision-guided air-to-ground missile in Western inventory. Lockheed Martin (formerly Rockwell + Martin Marietta) developed the original Hellfire in 1974-1985 as the AH-64 Apache's primary anti-tank weapon; service entry 1984. About 100,000+ Hellfires have been built across all variants. The missile is used by US Army + US Air Force + US Navy + 30+ export customers.

The AGM-114R (current multi-purpose variant) uses 1 × solid-fuel rocket motor. Maximum speed Mach 1.3, range 11 km (helicopter-launched) or 16 km (UAV-launched from altitude). Length 1.63 m, weight 49 kg. Warhead options: tandem HEAT (anti-armour), HE-fragmentation (anti-personnel), thermobaric (anti-bunker), or inert R9X kinetic-blade ("ninja missile" for assassinations with minimal collateral damage). Guidance: semi-active laser homing — typical engagement uses a laser designator on the launching aircraft, ground team, or third-party UAV / aircraft.

Hellfire combat is extensive — used by AH-64 Apache + AH-1 Cobra + UH-60 Black Hawk + MQ-1 Predator + MQ-9 Reaper + MQ-1C Gray Eagle + numerous helicopter export platforms in every American military operation since 1991 Operation Desert Storm. Famous uses include: Hellfire-armed Predators in 2001 Afghanistan (the first armed-UAV combat strike was a Hellfire from a CIA Predator over Afghanistan on 7 October 2001), repeated targeted killings of al-Qaeda + ISIS leaders 2002-present, + Ukrainian-operated AGM-114 strikes against Russian armour 2022-present. The R9X inert variant has reportedly been used in ~12 specific assassinations of senior terrorist leaders 2017-present. Production continues at Lockheed Martin Troy + Camden facilities.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The AGM-114 Hellfire is the most-built American precision missile. Lockheed Martin developed it in 1974 to be the Apache helicopter's main weapon. The Hellfire entered service in 1984. More than 100,000 Hellfires have been built. More than 30 countries use them today.

The Hellfire is small: 5 feet long and 108 pounds. The solid-fuel rocket motor pushes the missile to Mach 1, faster than a rifle bullet. Range is 7 miles from a helicopter or 10 miles from a high-flying drone. The Hellfire is smaller than a person.

The Hellfire has many different explosive types for different jobs. The shaped-charge HEAT explosive breaks through tank armor. The HE-fragmentation explosive is best for soft targets and groups of soldiers. The thermobaric explosive is used against bunkers. The strange R9X ninja missile has no explosive at all; instead, 6 spinning blades pop out at the last moment.

The Hellfire fires from Apache, Cobra, Black Hawk, Predator, Reaper, and Gray Eagle aircraft. The first armed-drone strike in history was a Hellfire from a CIA Predator over Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. The Hellfire has been used in every American military operation since 1991.

Fun Facts

The AGM-114 Hellfire is the most-built American precision missile.
More than 100,000 Hellfires have been made since 1984.
The Hellfire is 5 feet long and 108 pounds, smaller than a person.
Top speed is Mach 1, faster than a rifle bullet.
More than 30 countries use the Hellfire.
The R9X ninja missile has no explosive, just 6 spinning blades.
The first armed-drone strike was a Hellfire from a CIA Predator in October 2001.

Kids’ Questions

What is laser guidance?

The Hellfire uses semi-active laser homing. The pilot or a soldier on the ground points a laser beam at the target. The Hellfire has a small camera in the nose that watches for the laser reflection. The missile flies toward the laser spot wherever it goes. This is very accurate but needs someone to keep the laser on target until the missile hits.

What is the R9X ninja missile?

The R9X is a Hellfire with no explosive types inside. Instead, 6 long blades pop out just before impact. The missile slices through the target with very little blast damage to anything else. The R9X is used to hit single people in a vehicle without harming people nearby. It is one of the most-precise weapons ever made.

Why so many built?

The Hellfire is the standard American helicopter and drone missile. Apache helicopters, Cobra helicopters, Predator drones, Reaper drones, and many others all use Hellfires. American forces have fired thousands in combat since 1991. America also sells Hellfires to more than 30 allied countries. Total production is over 100,000, more than any other Western precision missile.

Variants

AGM-114K / L / M (legacy): Original anti-armour variants. Tandem HEAT warhead.
AGM-114N (thermobaric): Metal-augmented charge for anti-bunker / urban use.
AGM-114R (Romeo, multi-purpose): Current variant. Single airframe, multiple warhead options.
AGM-114R9X (Ninja): Inert kinetic-blade variant. Pop-out blades, no explosive.

Notable Operators

US Army + Air Force + Navy (1984-present): Principal operator. Apache + Reaper + Cobra + Black Hawk.
30+ export customers: UK, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Ukraine, others.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the R9X 'ninja missile'?

The AGM-114R9X is a Hellfire variant with no explosive warhead. Instead, six 60-cm steel blades deploy from the missile body in the final seconds before impact, kinetically slicing through the target on impact. The design minimises collateral damage — the missile destroys a single car or a single room without harming bystanders or nearby buildings. The R9X was first reported in a February 2017 strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Abu Khayr al-Masri in Syria, + has reportedly been used in ~12 specific high-value-target strikes since, including the July 2022 strike that killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Kabul. The R9X officially remains classified; the US has neither confirmed nor denied its existence.

Sources

Wikipedia — AGM-114 Hellfire