ALARM

ALARM (Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile) is a British anti-radiation missile designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). It was used by the RAF and is still used by the Royal Saudi Air Force.[2] The weapon was retired by the UK at the end of 2013.[3]

This article is about the missile. For other uses, see Alarm (disambiguation).
ALARM[1]
ALARM under the wing of a RAF Tornado GR4
ALARM under the wing of a RAF Tornado GR4
TypeAir-to-surface anti-radar missile
Service history
In service1990
Used bySee operators
WarsGulf War, Kosovo War, Iraq War, Libyan Civil War, Yemeni Civil War (2015-present), Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Production history
DesignerBAe Dynamics
Designed1982
ManufacturerBAe Dynamics (1982–1999)
MBDA UK (since 1999)
Produced1986–present
Specifications
Mass268 kg (591 lb)
Length4.24 m (13 ft 11 in)
Diameter230 mm (9 in)
Wingspan0.73 m (2 ft 5 in)
WarheadProximity fused high-explosive
Detonation
mechanism
Laser Proximity
EngineBayern Chemie two stage solid-fuel rocket motors
Propellantsolid-propellant
Operational
range
93 km (58 mi)
Maximum speed 2,455 km/h (1,525 mph) (supersonic)
Guidance
system
Pre-programmed/passive radar seeker
Launch
platform
Tornado GR.4, Tornado F3, J22 Orao

History

The Ministry of Defence received offers for a new anti-radiation missile in late 1982; British Aerospace Dynamics offered ALARM while Texas Instruments teamed with Lucas Aerospace offered its HARM missile.[4] Defence Secretary Michael Heseltine announced the selection of ALARM on 29 July 1983. The initial order was 750 missiles for the RAF.[5] The selection process was controversial; the battle between the contractors was bitter, the Ministry of Defence favoured ALARM to retain UK industrial capabilities while the Treasury favoured the cheaper and proven HARM.[4][6]

In early 1986, BAe recognised that Royal Ordnance was having difficulties delivering the missile's motor, named Nuthatch, and began to consider alternatives. Royal Ordnance's solution to the required burn-loiter-burn characteristic of the engine was complex.[7] In July 1987, BAe, by then the owner of Royal Ordnance, replaced the Nuthatch motor with a lower risk motor designed by Bayern-Chemie.[8] BAe's £200 million contract for the missile was renegotiated with the price increased to £400 million and delivery pushed back from 1988 to 1990.[9] The radar seeker was made by Marconi Space and Defence Systems (GEC) at Stanmore.[10]

The ALARM missile was officially retired by the UK at the end of 2013,[3] but continued to be used by the Saudis.[11]

Features

ALARM is a fire-and-forget system, with an added loiter capability. In loiter mode, ALARM will, when launched, climb to an altitude of 13,000 metres (43,000 ft). If the target radar shuts down, the missile will deploy a parachute and descend slowly until the radar lights up. The missile will then fire a secondary motor to attack the target.[12]

Combat use

ALARM has been used in the following conflicts:

Operators
Map with ALARM operators in blue

Current operators
 Saudi Arabia

Former operators
 United Kingdom

Specifications
  • Primary Function: Suppression of Enemy Air Defence
  • Contractor: MBDA
  • Power Plant: Bayern Chemie two stage solid propellant rocket motors
  • Length: 4.24 m
  • Diameter: 23 cm
  • Wing Span: 73 cm
  • Launch Weight: 268 kg
  • Speed: 2455 km/h (supersonic)
  • Warhead: Proximity fused high-explosive
  • Range: 93 km
  • Fuse: Laser Proximity
  • Guidance system: Pre-programmed/passive radar seeker
  • Unit Cost: undisclosed
  • Date Deployed: 1990
  • User: UK (RAF)
    • Tornado GR.4
    • Tornado F3: fitted in time for 2003 Gulf War, receiving designation Tornado EF3
    • Weapon has been "fit checked" on other RAF aircraft, such as the Jaguar. Due to its relatively large weight it is not suited to the entire RAF fleet.
    • Also was expected to be usable on the Eurofighter Typhoon, but this requirement was deleted.[18]

See also

References
  1. "ALARM, fas.org".
  2. "Saudis review F.3 air-defence role". Flight International. Reed Business Publishing. 25 December 1991.
  3. Scott, Richard (21 January 2014). "UK retires ALARM missile". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  4. Bloom, Bridget (16 May 1983). "Thatcher to resolve anti-radar missile row". Financial Times.
  5. "British Select Alarm Missile Over HARM". Aviation Week & Space Technology. McGraw-Hill. 8 July 1983.
  6. Bloom, Bridget (30 July 1983). "Missile manufacturers bid for UK navy deal". Financial Times.
  7. Buchan, David (20 July 1987). "BAe Cancels Missile Deal With Royal Ordnance". Financial Times.
  8. "British Aerospace Delays Missile Program". Aviation Week & Space Technology. McGraw-Hill. 21 September 1987.
  9. Evans, Michael (18 March 1988). "Missile bill for RAF up £150 million". The Times. Times Newspapers.
  10. Flight International 1990
  11. UK-Supplied Precision Weapons Prove Popular in Saudi-Led Yemen Campaign - Defensenews.com, 17 October 2016
  12. "1987 | 1575 | Flight Archive". www.flightglobal.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2015.
  13. "RAF Tornados begin Yugoslavia operations from Corsican base". Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. The McGraw-Hill Companies. 3 June 1999.
  14. Cordesman, Anthony H (2000). The Lessons and Non-Lessons of the Air and Missile Campaign in Kosovo. p. 339.
  15. "RAF Weapons: Long-Range-Air-to-Surface Weapons". The Royal Air Force. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  16. "Royal Air Force Dropped More Than 400 Enhanced Paveway Bombs During OIF". Defense Daily. 8 July 2003. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  17. "Yemen: Armed Conflict:Written question - 46338". UK Parliament. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  18. Major Projects Report 2008, page 149(155) Archived 5 February 2011 at the Wayback Machine. UK Ministry of Defence, 2008.
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