--- title: "Why the Hellfire is one of America’s favorite missiles" date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-22" authors: - name: "Logan Nye" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/logan-nye/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/why-the-hellfire-is-one-of-americas-favorite-missiles/" categories: - "Tactical" - "Weapons" tags: - "Aircraft" - "Weapons" --- # Why the Hellfire is one of America’s favorite missiles ![hellfire missile launch]() *It also has the best name of any missile. (Department of Defense)* The [AGM-114 Hellfire missile]() was designed to give the United States an advantage against the Soviet military's massive tank formations. But now the missile is used for a range of purposes, from anti-personnel weapons to bunker busters. The exquisitely named missile was conceived [in 1974 in response to an Army request]() for a helicopter-launched, fire-and-forget, anti-tank missile. What came out of that program was the AGM-114A Hellfire missile, which followed a laser designator to reach its target. It carried a 17-pound warhead and was deployed worldwide. As the missile evolved, versions were created that provided better missile guidance, lethality, and safety. ![hellfire missile]() *Hellfire missiles bring a lot of boom. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Paul Peterson)* While early models had a limited ability to turn in flight and relied on laser designators, newer models carry radar systems and are more agile. The most nimble variants, the [AGM-114R and AGM-114T, can even turn quickly enough to kill enemies behind the aircraft](). New warheads enhance the missile's lethality against a wide range of targets. The shaped-charge warheads from the original Hellfire have given way to tandem high-explosive warheads to defeat reactive armor. ![]() *Don't worry. Be happy. Unless you're the target. (U.S. Army/Sgt. Aaron R. Braddy)* The [metal-augmented charge of the AGM-114N]() is a thermobaric warhead that fills an enclosed space with a highly reactive metal and then detonates the mixture, creating a massive secondary explosion. Meanwhile, adaptations to the Hellfire and its launchers enable more platforms to carry it. The Navy now deploys the [AGM-114L]() on ships so they can better protect themselves from attacks by fast boats and other threats. ![]() *The Littoral combat ship USS Coronado is not afraid of you. (U.S. Navy/Petty Officer Second Class Michaela Garrison)* The Hellfire's iconic air platform is still the Apache, but it catches rides on AH-1s, drones, Blackhawks, Kiowas, and even [modified Cessnas](). Land [vehicles employ the missile as well](). Lockheed self-funded the development of the Long Range Surveillance and Attack Vehicle, which can fire the Hellfire or the DAGR, a smaller weapon with most of the Hellfire II's technology. The Hellfire's finest hours came in the 1991 Persian Gulf War [when Army Apaches claimed 500 Iraqi tank kills with the missile](). That's not even counting Hellfire kills achieved by AH-1 Cobras. ## Don’t Miss the Best of Mighty Weapons We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: [subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter](). - [Raytheon awarded $736M contract for AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles]() - [The best Cold War communist military technology was all stolen from the West]() - [The sidewinder missile is still lethal after 60 years]() ## Author Logan was an Army journalist and paratrooper in the 82nd. Now, he's a freelance writer covering military history, culture, and technology. He has two upcoming podcasts and a Twitch channel focused on basic military literacy. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Facebook]()