Maverick ASM

[Army of One]

I've had a quick flick through the threads back to 2011 and can't find one on this family of missiles. I've also searched and found some references to them but no subject........

So.....just how effective are they as an anti ship missile...? I've read about the F model designed for the USN.....could the Mi 24 carry them...?

[scooter]

So.....just how effective are they as an anti ship missile...? I've read about the F model designed for the USN.....could the Mi 24 carry them...?

To answer the first part, according to Air Force Times, the Vittoria was forced to beach after being hit by P-3 Orion-launched Mavericks.  So, I would say for lightly armored or merchant vessels, Mavericks may be a good to go system.

And for the second, the Iranian Army fitted LAU-117 launchers to their AH-1J SeaCobras, as has the US Army and Marine Corps to Apaches and SeaCobras.  So a Hind should, in theory, be able to carry at least 4 or more.

[Army of One]

Oh cool.....

Many thanks for the quick reply........I was thinking of attacking patrol craft n the like......

[scooter]

Oh cool.....

Many thanks for the quick reply........I was thinking of attacking patrol craft n the like......

No problem.  And that shouldn't be a problem for Mavericks.

[Army of One]

A bit more research reveals that in an op in 1980 during Iran-Iraq war Iranian F4's uding Mavericks sunk three OSA II patrol boats and four P6 ships......

[pyro-manic]

300lb warhead on the naval F/J model - sounds like it would be pretty useful against any sort of small vessel. Roughly equal to the Penguin and NSM missiles, and a lot bigger than the Sea Skua (which has been quite effective). Should look good hanging from a Hind. 

[Army of One]

Sounding better n better.........

[DarrenP]

SH2 seasprite can carry them

Have seen a few drawings with them fitted Including Jaguars. I wonder if RAF/FAA could have used them on the Phantom FG1 & FGR2

[pyro-manic]

I see no reason why not. The RAF didn't acquire them until after the Kosovo campaign (for use with the Harrier GR.7), but they could reasonably have got them much earlier if a requirement had existed. D/E model Phantoms carried them.

[Weaver]

They seem pretty adaptable to different types of aircraft. The Swiss managed to integrate them onto Hunters, which are both old technology and notoriously short of space, so it should be perfectly possible to use them on 1st gen Harriers or Jaguars.

I wonder if, as a whif, you could have a semi-active radar-homing version with the Sea Skua guidance system? That would give all-weather anti-ship capability, but it would need an illuminating radar on the launch platform.

[DarrenP]

or a radar seaker head? make an ARM

[DarrenP]

remember reading something about the Israelis using explosive free mavericks in the Bekka valley because the kenetic energy was enough to destroy Syrian radar trucks

[Army of One]

Seems like a very versatile munition.....

[Army of One]

So....a form of flat radar bump like the sea spray (?) Under the Merlin for a naval Hind.......

[kerick]

remember reading something about the Israelis using explosive free mavericks in the Bekka valley because the kenetic energy was enough to destroy Syrian radar trucks

I heard it was Mavericks with concrete in place of the warhead to knock out tanks so the they could recover the tank and repair them to use themselves.