View source for ALARM

{{short description|British air-launched anti-radiation missile}}
{{about|the missile||Alarm (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox weapon
|name= ALARM<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/missile/row/alarm.htm|title=ALARM, fas.org}}</ref>
|image= [[File:ALARM.jpeg|300px|ALARM under the wing of a RAF Tornado GR4]]
|caption= ALARM under the wing of a RAF Tornado GR4
|origin=
|type= [[Air-to-surface missile|Air-to-surface]] [[anti-radar missile]]
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=
|is_bladed=
|is_explosive=
|is_artillery=
|is_vehicle=
|is_missile= yes
|is_UK= yes
<!-- Service history -->
|service= 1990
|used_by= [[#Operators|See ''operators'']]
|wars= [[Gulf War]]<br/>[[Kosovo War]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]<br/>[[Libyan civil war (2011)]]<br/>[[Yemeni Civil War (2014-present)]]<br/>[[Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen]]
<!-- Production history -->
|designer= [[BAe Dynamics]]
|design_date= 1982
|manufacturer=[[BAe Dynamics]] (1982–1999)<br />[[MBDA UK]] (since 1999)
|unit_cost=
|production_date= 1986–present
|number=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|weight= {{convert|268|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
|length= {{convert|4.24|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length=
|width=
|height=
|diameter= {{convert|230|mm|in|0|abbr=on}}
|crew=
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
|filling= [[Proximity fuse]]d [[Explosive material|high-explosive]]
|filling_weight=
|detonation= Laser [[Proximity fuze|Proximity]]
|yield=
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
|armour=
|primary_armament=
|secondary_armament=
|engine= Bayern Chemie [[multistage rocket|two stage]] [[solid-fuel rocket]] motors
|engine_power=
|pw_ratio=
|transmission=
|payload_capacity=
|suspension=
|clearance=
|wingspan= {{convert|0.73|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|propellant= [[solid fuel|solid-propellant]]
|fuel_capacity=
|vehicle_range= {{convert|93|km|mi|abbr=on}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|depth=
|boost=
|speed= {{convert|2455|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} (supersonic)
|guidance= Pre-programmed/[[passive radar]] seeker
|steering=
|accuracy=
|launch_platform= [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado GR.4]], [[Tornado F3]], [[J22 Orao]]
|transport=
|}}
'''ALARM''' ('''Air Launched Anti-Radiation Missile''') is a British [[anti-radiation missile]] designed primarily to destroy enemy radars for the purpose of [[Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses]] (SEAD). It was used by the [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] and is still used by the [[Royal Saudi Air Force]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Saudis review F.3 air-defence role |work=Flight International|publisher=Reed Business Publishing |date=1991-12-25}}</ref> The weapon was retired by the UK at the end of 2013.<ref name=janes>{{cite web |url=http://www.janes.com/article/32800/uk-retires-alarm-missile |title=UK retires ALARM missile |last1=Scott |first1=Richard |date=21 January 2014 |publisher=IHS Jane's 360 |access-date=15 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201222605/http://www.janes.com/article/32800/uk-retires-alarm-missile |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>
== History ==
The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] received offers for a new anti-radiation missile in late 1982; [[BAe Dynamics|British Aerospace Dynamics]] offered ALARM while [[Texas Instruments]] teamed with [[Lucas Aerospace]] offered its [[AGM-88 HARM|HARM]] missile.<ref name="ftbidding">{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom|title=Thatcher to resolve anti-radar missile row|work=Financial Times|date=1983-05-16}}</ref> Defence Secretary [[Michael Heseltine]] announced the selection of ALARM on 29 July 1983. The initial order was 750 missiles for the RAF.<ref>{{cite news |title=British Select Alarm Missile Over HARM |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=1983-07-08}}</ref> The selection process was controversial; the battle between the contractors was bitter, the Ministry of Defence favoured ALARM to retain UK industrial capabilities while the Treasury favoured the cheaper and proven HARM.<ref name="ftbidding"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom |title=Missile manufacturers bid for UK navy deal |work=Financial Times |date=1983-07-30}}</ref>
In early 1986, BAe recognised that [[Royal Ordnance]] was having difficulties delivering the missile's motor, named Nuthatch, and began to consider alternatives. Royal Ordnance's solution to the required burn-loiter-burn characteristic of the engine was complex.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Buchan |title=BAe Cancels Missile Deal With Royal Ordnance |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=20 July 1987}}</ref> In July 1987, BAe, by then the owner of Royal Ordnance, replaced the Nuthatch motor with a lower risk motor designed by [[Bayern-Chemie]].<ref>{{cite news |title=British Aerospace Delays Missile Program |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=21 September 1987}}</ref> BAe's [[Pound sterling|£]]200 million contract for the missile was renegotiated with the price increased to £400 million and delivery pushed back from 1988 to 1990.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Evans |title=Missile bill for RAF up £150 million |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=18 March 1988}}</ref> The radar seeker was made by Marconi Space and Defence Systems ([[General Electric Company|GEC]]) at [[Stanmore]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%202175.PDF Flight International 1990]</ref>
The ALARM missile was officially retired by the UK at the end of 2013,<ref name=janes/> but continued to be used by the Saudis.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/articles/uk-supplied-precision-weapons-prove-popular-in-saudi-led-yemen-campaign UK-Supplied Precision Weapons Prove Popular in Saudi-Led Yemen Campaign] - Defensenews.com, 17 October 2016</ref>
==Features==
ALARM is a [[fire-and-forget]] system, with an added loiter capability. In loiter mode, ALARM will, when launched, climb to an altitude of {{convert|13000|m|ft}}. If the target radar shuts down, the missile will deploy a parachute and descend slowly until the radar lights up. The missile will then fire a secondary motor to attack the target.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%201575.html |title=1987 {{!}} 1575 {{!}} Flight Archive |website=www.flightglobal.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215150508/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1987/1987%20-%201575.html |archive-date=2015-02-15}} </ref>
==Combat use==
ALARM has been used in the following conflicts:
* [[Gulf War|1991 Gulf War]] ([[Operation Granby]]), during which 121 missiles were used.<ref>{{cite news |title=RAF Tornados begin Yugoslavia operations from Corsican base |work=Aerospace Daily & Defense Report |publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies |date=1999-06-03}}</ref>
* [[Kosovo War]] ([[NATO bombing of Yugoslavia|Operation Allied Force]]), during which 6 missiles were used.<ref>{{cite book|first=Anthony H|last=Cordesman|year=2000|title=The Lessons and Non-Lessons of the Air and Missile Campaign in Kosovo|page=339}}</ref>
* [[2003 invasion of Iraq]] ([[Operation Telic]]), during which 47 missiles were used.<ref name=ArmedForces2014>{{cite web |url=http://www.armedforces.co.uk/raf/listings/l0039.html |title=RAF Weapons: Long-Range-Air-to-Surface Weapons |publisher=The Royal Air Force |access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-106432932.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045502/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-106432932.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 September 2015|title=Royal Air Force Dropped More Than 400 Enhanced Paveway Bombs During OIF|work=Defense Daily|date=8 July 2003|access-date=9 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[2011 military intervention in Libya|2011 Libya]] ([[Operation Ellamy]]).<ref name=ArmedForces2014 />
* [[Yemeni Civil War (2014–present)|2015 Yemen]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-09-14/46338|title=Yemen: Armed Conflict:Written question - 46338|website=UK Parliament|access-date=2016-10-17}}</ref>
==Operators==
[[File:ALARM operators.png|thumb|400px|Map with ALARM operators in blue]]
===Current operators===
; {{SAU}}
* [[Royal Saudi Air Force]]
===Former operators===
; {{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]]
==Specifications==
* Primary Function: [[Suppression of Enemy Air Defence]]
* Contractor: [[MBDA]]
* Power Plant: Bayern Chemie two stage solid propellant rocket motors
* Length: 4.24 m
* Diameter: 23&nbsp;cm
* Wing Span: 73&nbsp;cm
* Launch Weight: 268&nbsp;kg
* Speed: 2455&nbsp;km/h (supersonic)
* Warhead: [[Proximity fuse]]d [[Explosive material|high-explosive]]
* Range: 93&nbsp;km
* Fuse: Laser [[Proximity fuze|Proximity]]
* Guidance system: Pre-programmed/passive radar seeker
* Unit Cost: undisclosed
* Date Deployed: 1990
* User: [[United Kingdom|UK]] ([[Royal Air Force|RAF]])
** [[Panavia Tornado|Tornado GR.4]]
** [[RAF Tornado F3|Tornado F3]]: fitted in time for [[2003 invasion of Iraq|2003 Gulf War]], receiving designation Tornado EF3
** Weapon has been "fit checked" on other RAF aircraft, such as the [[SEPECAT Jaguar|Jaguar]]. Due to its relatively large weight it is not suited to the entire RAF fleet.
** Also was expected to be usable on the [[Eurofighter Typhoon]], but this requirement was deleted.<ref>[http://www.nao.org.uk//idoc.ashx?docId=c02da1c8-320b-4062-881d-2c24482459b5&version=-1 Major Projects Report 2008, page 149(155)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205045159/http://www.nao.org.uk/idoc.ashx?docId=c02da1c8-320b-4062-881d-2c24482459b5&version=-1 |date=5 February 2011 }}. UK Ministry of Defence, 2008.</ref>
==See also==
{{div col}}
* {{lwc|AGM-122 Sidearm}}
* {{lwc|AGM-78 Standard ARM}}
* {{lwc|AGM-88 HARM}}
* {{lwc|AGM-45 Shrike}}
* {{lwc|ARMAT}}
* {{lwc|Kh-28}}
* {{lwc|Kh-31}}
* {{lwc|Kh-58}}
* {{lwc|PL-12#LD-10|LD-10}}
* {{lwc|MAR-1}}
* {{lwc|Martel (missile)|Martel}}
* {{lwc|Rudram-1 (missile)|Rudram-1}}
* {{lwc|YJ-91}}
{{div col end}}
==References==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
{{Commons category|ALARM}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621053444/http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/alarm.cfm RAF: ALARM description]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060811035837/http://www.bayernchemie-protac.com/rocket_motors_alarm.htm Bayern-Chemie]—Development and production of a rocket motor used by ALARM. More than 1,200 produced
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120325235751/http://typhoon.starstreak.net/common/AG/alarm.html Matra-BAe Dynamics ALARM] at Eurofighter Typhoon—a brief history of ALARM
* [http://www.armedforces.co.uk/raf/listings/l0039.html RAF Weapons] at armedforces.co.uk
{{UKmissiles}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
[[Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the Cold War]]
[[Category:Anti-radiation missiles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Cold War air-to-surface missiles of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:General Electric Company]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]