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AGM/BGM-176
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Raytheon AGM/BGM-176 Griffin

The Griffin missile was developed by Raytheon as a private venture in the 2007/2008 time frame. It is a small tube-launched GPS and laser guided air-to-surface weapon originally designed as armament for AC/MC-130 "gunships" and UAVs. An MQ-1 Predator can carry three Griffin missiles in place of a single AGM-114 Hellfire, which is that UAV's standard armament. The missile's 5.9 kg (13 lb) multi-effect warhead is also supposed to inflict less collateral damage than the bigger Hellfire. To reduce development time and cost for Griffin, components from other Raytheon products were used, including the FGM-148 Javelin and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles. The missile is of modular design, and according to Raytheon, other seekers or warheads can be fitted.

Image: U.S. Army
AGM-176B


The AGM-176A is an unpowered version, which can be dropped from the rear cargo doors or door-mounted launchers of AC-130W and AC-130J aircraft. The AGM-176B is a rocket-powered version to be launched mainly from UAVs, e.g. the MQ-9 Reaper. The designations ATM-176A, ATM-176B, CATM-176A and CATM-176B have been allocated to training and captive-carry versions of the Griffin.

From 2013 on, the U.S. Navy used the ship-launched BGM-176B variant as the missile component of the MK 60 Griffin Missile System on Cyclone class coastal patrol ships. The last of these ships has left USN service in 2023.

Photo: U.S. Army / U.S. Navy
BGM-176B


Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for AGM-176B:

Length1.09 m (43 in)
Diameter14 cm (5.5 in)
Weight15.6 kg (34.5 lb)
Range20 km (12 miles)
PropulsionSolid-propellant rocket
Warhead5.9 kg (13 lb) multi-effect high-explosive

Main Sources

[1] Defense Industry Daily: "Raytheon’s AGM-176 Griffin Mini-Missiles"
[2] U.S. Navy: "MK 60 Griffin Missile System (GMS)"


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Last Updated: 30 December 2023