It was not seen as a necessity for all platforms until the sinking of the Israeli ship Eilat by the Soviets in 1967. The following year, the US Navy began advanced research in anti-surface submarines missiles. An official proposal request was issued in January 1971, and within that year the McDonnell Douglas Corporation won the development contract. The name Harpoon was given to this project. The first harpoon, AGM-84A was only air-launched. But with advancements in technology, ship launched (RGM-84A), and a submarine-launched (UGM-84A) missiles were developed. The first test missile flew on October 1972, and operational testing was completed by 1978. Pilot production began in 1975, and the missile entered the Navy with the USS Sterret (CG 31). The first UGM-84 became operational on Submarines in 1981, and since then, the harpoon has been used in several battles. The missile was utilized in Persian Gulf against Iraqi forces, as well as in engagement against Libyan Forces on March 24, 1986. In September 1989 McDonnel Douglas received a contract to develop the Harpoon Block 1D. Along with the 1D, unarmed training versions were created. They were the ATM-84A, RTM-84A, and UTM-84A. In order to provide a more precision-attack air-launched weapon, Douglas created the SLAM (Stand-off Land Attack Missile). This became functional in November 1988, and was test-fired by the USS Ticonderoga. Air Launched SLAM were later utilized in operation desert storm against Saddam’s
It was not seen as a necessity for all platforms until the sinking of the Israeli ship Eilat by the Soviets in 1967. The following year, the US Navy began advanced research in anti-surface submarines missiles. An official proposal request was issued in January 1971, and within that year the McDonnell Douglas Corporation won the development contract. The name Harpoon was given to this project. The first harpoon, AGM-84A was only air-launched. But with advancements in technology, ship launched (RGM-84A), and a submarine-launched (UGM-84A) missiles were developed. The first test missile flew on October 1972, and operational testing was completed by 1978. Pilot production began in 1975, and the missile entered the Navy with the USS Sterret (CG 31). The first UGM-84 became operational on Submarines in 1981, and since then, the harpoon has been used in several battles. The missile was utilized in Persian Gulf against Iraqi forces, as well as in engagement against Libyan Forces on March 24, 1986. In September 1989 McDonnel Douglas received a contract to develop the Harpoon Block 1D. Along with the 1D, unarmed training versions were created. They were the ATM-84A, RTM-84A, and UTM-84A. In order to provide a more precision-attack air-launched weapon, Douglas created the SLAM (Stand-off Land Attack Missile). This became functional in November 1988, and was test-fired by the USS Ticonderoga. Air Launched SLAM were later utilized in operation desert storm against Saddam’s