United Kingdom orders 1,000 AGM-114 air-to-surface missiles

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World Defense & Security News - United Kingdom
 
 
United Kingdom orders 1,000 AGM-114 air-to-surface missiles
 
The US State Department has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom for 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles. The estimated cost is $150 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announced yesterday, March 16, 2017.
     
Hellfire Systems ins foreign military sale to produce 2060 Hellfire II air to ground missiles 640 001UK orders additional AGM-114R Hellfire II air-to-surface missiles
(Source: Internet)
     
United Kingdom requested a possible sale of 1,000 AGM-114-R1/R2 Hellfire II Semi-Active Laser (SAL) missiles with logistics support services and other related program support.

"The proposed sale improves the UK’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing close air support to counter enemy attacks on coalition ground forces in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility (AOR) and other areas, as needed. The UK already has Hellfire missiles in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles," the DSCA said.

There is no principal contractor for this sale as the missiles are coming from U.S. stock.

The Hellfire was first developed for anti-armor use, but later models were developed for precision strikes against other target types. The AGM-114R1/R2 Hellfire II features semi-active laser homing and a multi-function warhead. It strikes target at a range of 8,000 m and a speed of Mach 1.3.