Boeing Offers Extended Range With Upgraded Harpoon Missile for Navy

Boeing is offering its Harpoon Next-Generation missile in response to the U.S. Navy‘s interest in requiring more lethality and range for missiles launched from Littoral Combat Ships and frigates, DoD Buzz reported Tuesday.

Kris Osborn writes that the Harpoon Next-Gen uses GPS and inertial navigation guidance systems and can launch from submarines, surface ships, aircraft or a moving land-based platform.

“Fundamentally it is adding more fuel to the weapon and going to a more fuel-efficient engine,” said James Brooks, a director at Boeing.

He added that the upgrades to the existing Block II Harpoon anti-ship and land attack missile also include electronic fuel controls, a new warhead that is 200 pounds lighter than the current 500-pound warhead as well as an increased range of 134 nautical miles.

According to the report, the extended range can be provided as an add-on kit or as a new-build procurement.

Boeing plans to have a demonstration of the Harpoon Next-Gen for the Navy next year and have the missile ready for delivery by 2017, Osborn reports.