AGM-123 Skipper
II
The AGM-123 "Skipper II" is a laser-guided standoff anti-ship missile based on
existing missile and bomb components. The body of the Skipper is a standard Mk 83 1,000
lb. general purpose bomb. The rocket motor is derived from the
AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missile. The seeker is based
on the laser-guided
Paveway II series of
guided precision bombs. The first combat seen by the Skipper was on April 18, 1988, when a
US Navy
A-6 Intruder struck the Iranian
frigate Sahand with an AGM-123 after the ship engaged US Navy ships in the Strait of
Hormuz. The Sahand was also hit by an
AGM-84 Harpoon
and a surface-launched RGM-84. The Sahand did not survive this engagement.
The Skipper was initially operational in 1985.
| General characteristics |
| Primary function |
Laser-guided standoff anti-ship missile |
| Contractor |
Emerson Electric |
| Weight |
missile |
1,283 lb |
582 kg |
| warhead |
1,000 lb |
454 kg |
| Length |
14 ft |
4.27 m |
| Wingspan |
5.3 ft |
1.61 m |
| Guidance |
Laser-guided semi-active |
| Power plant |
Aerojet General solid-fuel booster |
| Speed |
575 mph |
925 km/h |
| Range |
6 miles |
9.6 km |
| Warhead |
Conventional high-explosive with FMU-376 fuse |
Jirka Wagner
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