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The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-surface tactical missile (ASM) designed for close air support, prohibition, and forceful prevention. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor , air defenses, ships , ground transportation, and fuel storage facilities.
The AGM-65F ( infrared targeting) used by the US Navy has an infrared guidance system optimized for ship tracking and a larger penetrating warhead than the shaped charge used by the US Marine Corps and the US Air Force (300 pounds (136 kg) vs 125 pounds (57 kg)). The AGM-65 has two types of warheads ; one has a contact fuze in the nose, and the other has a heavyweight warhead with a delayed fuze, which penetrates the target with its kinetic energy before firing. The latter is most effective against large, hard targets. The propulsion system for both types is a solid-fuel rocket motor behind the warhead.
AGM-65 missiles were employed by F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs during Operation Desert Storm in 1991 to attack armored targets. Mavericks played a large part in the destruction of Iraq 's military force.
LAU-117 Maverick launchers have also been used on USA navy and air force aircraft : A-4 Skyhawk , A-6 Intruder , A-7 Corsair II , AH-1W , AV-8 Harrier II , F-4 Phantom II , F-5 Freedom Fighter , F-15 Eagle , F/A-18 Hornet , General Dynamics F-111 , P-3 Orion , and SH-2G ; and the UK Royal Air Force ' Harrier GR7 .
| Primary function | Air-to-surface guided missile ; attack and destroy armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation, and fuel installations. |
| Contractor | Hughes Aircraft Corporation ; Raytheon Corporation . |
| Power plant | Thiokol TX-481 dual-thrust solid propellant rocket motor |
| Length | 2.55 m (8 ft 2 in) |
| Launch weight | From 208 kg (462 lb) to 302 kg (670 lb) depending upon model and warhead weight |
| Diameter | 305 mm (12 in) |
| Wing span | 710 mm (2 ft 4 in) |
| Range (max. at high altitude) | 27 km (17 statute miles, 15 nautical miles) |
| Range (max. at low altitude) | 13 km (8 statute miles, 7 nautical miles) |
| Guidance | Electro-optical in A, B, K, and H models; infrared imaging in D and G models; laser guided in E models; infrared homing in F models. |
| Warhead | 135 kg (300 lb); contact fuze, delayed fuze penetrator, heavyweight |
| Unit cost | Up to US$160,000 |
| Date first deployed | August 1972 |
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