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The AGM-176 Griffin is a lightweight, precision-guided munition developed by Raytheon.〔(AUVSI: Raytheon offers up Griffin for UAS )〕 It can be launched from the ground or air as a rocket-powered missile or dropped from the air as a guided bomb. It carries a relatively small warhead, and was designed to be a precision low-collateral damage weapon for irregular warfare. It has been used in combat by the United States military in Afghanistan. ==Development== Raytheon developed Griffin as a low-cost modular system, using components from earlier projects, including the FGM-148 Javelin and the AIM-9X Sidewinder. It was originally designed to be launched from the US Special Operations Command's MC-130W Dragon Spear gunship. It can be guided either by a semi-active laser seeker or guided with GPS. Its precision combined with a relatively small 5.9 kg warhead reduces collateral damage.〔(Smaller, Cheaper, Lighter ) William Matthews, Defense News, 31 May 2010〕 The munition now comes in two versions. Griffin A is an unpowered precision munition that can be dropped from a rear cargo door or a door-mounted launcher that can drop while the cabin is pressurized.〔()〕 Weighing 15 kg and measuring 1.1 metres in length, it is launched from a 10-tube "Gunslinger" launcher that fits on the rear ramp of a Marine KC-130 tanker/transport or the USAF AC-130W Stinger II.〔 Griffin Block II B is a short-range, rocket-powered air-to-surface or surface-to-surface missile that can be fired from UAVs as well as helicopters, attack aircraft, U.S. Air Force AC-130W gunships,〔("The U.S. Air Force's New AC-130 Gunships are Really Bomb Trucks" )〕 and USMC KC-130J tankers.〔("Who paid Raytheon to develop the Griffin missile for Predator UAVs?" ) Intelfusion. 15 June 2008 〕 The missile's folding fins allow it to be launched from a 140mm tube. It can be set to engage the target with height of burst, point detonation or fuze delay. The U.S. Navy has tested the Griffin as a shipboard missile guided by laser at fast-moving small boats; they planned to use it on the Littoral Combat Ships.〔(Navy Nails Speedboats With Griffin Missiles )〕 The missile version is less than half the weight of a Hellfire round and includes a 5.9 kg warhead. It has a range of 15 km when air-launched, or 5.5 km when launched from the surface. It has been fired from the U.S. Army Remote weapon station, multi-round Wedge Launcher, Smart Launcher and Kiowa Warrior manned helicopters. The missile is smaller than the Hellfire typically used by armed UAVs, which reduces the potential for collateral damage. Three Griffins can be carried in place of one Hellfire. The Griffin missile and launch assembly is also lighter than the Hellfire, allowing more to be mounted on the Predator.〔(Efforts Are Underway to Arm Small UAVs ) Aviation Week. 17 October 2008〕 In 70 months of production from 2008 to early February 2014, Raytheon delivered 2,000 Griffin missiles.〔(Raytheon Marks Delivery of 2000th Griffin Missile ) – Deagel.com, 5 February 2014〕 In late February 2014, Raytheon demonstrated the improved Griffin Block III missile, hitting static and moving targets. The Block III includes an improved semi-active laser seeker with better electronics and signal processing and a new Multi-Effects Warhead System to maximize lethality against different targets.〔(Raytheon Demonstrates Griffin Block III Missile ) – Deagel.com, 19 February 2014〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「AGM-176 Griffin」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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