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AGM-179 JAGM

Lockheed Martin · Air-to-Surface Missile · USA · Digital Age (2010–present)

AGM-179 JAGM — Air-to-Surface Missile
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The AGM-179 JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile) is an American air-to-surface guided missile — Lockheed Martin's direct Hellfire successor + the principal new-generation US helicopter + UAV anti-armour weapon. Lockheed Martin developed the JAGM in 2008-2018 to replace the AGM-114 Hellfire with a dual-mode targeting unit (semi-active laser + millimetre-wave radar) for all-weather + fire-and-forget engagement; service entry 2019. The missile shares the Hellfire's launch interfaces — all Hellfire-launching platforms can fire JAGMs without modification.

The AGM-179 (current variant) uses 1 × solid-fuel rocket motor. Maximum speed Mach 1.3, range 8 km (helicopter-launched). Length 1.78 m, weight 49 kg. Warhead: tandem HEAT (anti-armour) — the same warhead family as AGM-114R Hellfire. Guidance: dual-mode seeker — semi-active laser (for laser-designated targets) + millimetre-wave radar (for fire-and-forget + adverse-weather engagement). The dual sensor allows the JAGM to engage targets through smoke, fog, rain, or sandstorms that would defeat the Hellfire's optical-laser seeker.

JAGM service includes US Marine Corps (AH-1Z Viper helicopter, first fielded 2019), US Army (AH-64E Apache from 2022 onwards), + US Navy MH-60R Romeo helicopters from 2024. Combat use began with USMC AH-1Zs in counter-ISIS operations + later in 2023-onwards CENTCOM operations. The JAGM is being progressively integrated into the MQ-1C Gray Eagle + MQ-9 Reaper UAV fleets. The dual-mode seeker is the JAGM's principal value-added vs Hellfire — particularly important for maritime + adverse-weather strike scenarios. Production rate is ~400 missiles/year as of 2026; total US inventory goal ~10,000 rounds.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The AGM-179 JAGM (Joint Air-to-Ground Missile) is the American successor to the Hellfire missile. Lockheed Martin developed it from 2008 to 2018. The JAGM entered service in 2019. The missile shares the same launch points as the Hellfire, so any plane that fires Hellfires can fire JAGMs.

The JAGM is 6 feet long and 108 pounds. The solid-fuel rocket motor pushes it to Mach 1, faster than a rifle bullet. Range is 5 miles from a helicopter. The JAGM is small enough to fit in a person's arms, but heavier than most adults can lift.

The JAGM has two different seekers in the same missile. A laser seeker finds laser-marked targets in clear weather. A millimeter-wave radar seeker works in smoke, fog, rain, or sandstorms. This means the JAGM can hit targets in weather that would defeat the older Hellfire. The radar seeker also lets the JAGM be a fire-and-forget weapon, launched, then forgotten by the firing crew.

The Marine Corps was the first to use JAGMs in 2019 on AH-1Z Viper helicopters. The Army added JAGMs to AH-64E Apaches in 2022. The Navy is adding JAGMs to MH-60R helicopters from 2024. The JAGM will also be added to MQ-1C Gray Eagle and MQ-9 Reaper drones.

Fun Facts

  • The AGM-179 JAGM is the American successor to the Hellfire missile.
  • The JAGM is 6 feet long and 108 pounds.
  • Top speed is Mach 1, faster than a rifle bullet.
  • The JAGM has both laser and radar seekers in the same missile.
  • JAGMs work in smoke, fog, rain, or sandstorms.
  • The JAGM entered service in 2019 with American Marines.
  • The JAGM uses the same launch points as the older Hellfire.

Kids’ Questions

Why two seekers?

The Hellfire's laser seeker fails when smoke, fog, rain, or dust blocks the laser beam. The JAGM has a backup: a millimeter-wave radar seeker. Radar waves go through bad weather better than laser beams. The JAGM picks the right seeker for each situation. This makes the JAGM useful in many more conditions than the Hellfire.

What is fire-and-forget?

Fire-and-forget means the missile finds the target on its own after launch. The pilot can fire the JAGM with radar seeker, then turn away to attack a new target. The Hellfire could not do this, because a person had to keep a laser on the target until impact. Fire-and-forget makes the JAGM safer for pilots and more efficient.

Will it replace the Hellfire?

The JAGM is slowly replacing the older Hellfire on American helicopters. The Hellfire is still being made, since 30 plus foreign countries use it. New JAGMs are being added to Apache, Cobra, Black Hawk, Predator, and Reaper aircraft as they roll out. Over the 2020s and 2030s, the JAGM will become the main American helicopter and drone missile.

Variants

AGM-179A (2019)
Current variant. Dual-mode seeker.

Notable Operators

US Marine Corps (2019-present)
AH-1Z Viper. First fielded.
US Army (2022-present)
AH-64E Apache.
US Navy (2024-present)
MH-60R Romeo.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is JAGM different from Hellfire?

Three differences. (1) Dual-mode targeting — JAGM combines semi-active laser (Hellfire's traditional sensor) with millimetre-wave radar in a single nose unit, allowing all-weather engagement + fire-and-forget operation (the missile finds its own target after launch, vs Hellfire requiring continuous laser designation). (2) Common launch interface — JAGM uses identical Hellfire rail attachments + electrical interfaces, allowing direct one-for-one replacement on all Hellfire platforms without aircraft modification. (3) Same warhead — JAGM uses the Hellfire's tandem HEAT warhead, so terminal effects are unchanged. The JAGM is being introduced gradually + complements rather than replaces existing Hellfire stocks through ~2035.

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