AGM-114 Hellfire Missile Comprehensive Guide: Capabilities, Types, and Costs
The AGM-114 Hellfire missile is one of the most popular short-range, laser-guided, subsonic air-to-surface (and sometimes air-to-air) tactical missiles used by the U.S. military and its 30 allies. The missile is used to target armored vehicles, including tanks, bunkers, radar systems and antennas, communications equipment, soft targets, or hovering helicopters. There are 12 types to choose from.
These missiles are widely used against high-profile terrorist targets and have seen extensive use in the wars in Iraq, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Although it was originally designed for helicopters, it can now be launched from air, sea, and land platforms.
A significantly improved version of the Hellfire missile was first introduced in 1996, but its development and use date back to the 1970s and 1980s, when the United States was eager to develop it to deal with Soviet tanks and ground armored vehicles in the event of a possible Soviet invasion of Europe.
A helicopter launches an AGM-114 Hellfire II missile during the RIMPAC military exercise.
An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 launches an AGM 114-B/N Hellfire missile during the RIMPAC maritime exercise. Photo: U.S. Navy.
The Hellfire missile (HELiborne, Laser, FIRE, and Forget) was originally developed to target tanks from AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, but is now used by fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, drones, land and sea vessels, and land stations.
The Hellfire missile family includes the Hellfire II (AGM-114) and Hellfire Longbow (AGM-114L), as well as various variants of these missiles.
The Hellfire II is a semi-active laser (SAL) precision-guided missile. It is used by the AH-64 Apache, OH-58 Kiowa Warrior, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, special operations aircraft, Marine Corps AH-1W Super Cobra, and Air Force Predator and Reaper drones.
AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire Missile
The AGM-114L missile, also known as the Hellfire Longbow, is a precision-guided missile that uses millimeter-wave (MMW) radar guidance. It has the same anti-armor warhead, can operate in adverse weather conditions, and has the potential for accidental firing. The radar tracks the target by emitting low-frequency electromagnetic wave pulses that are reflected by the target.
The Hellfire Longbow is the only air-to-ground missile in the U.S. military with a homing capability. It was discontinued in 2005, but its inventory will be exhausted by 2025.
In its 2020 report, Lockheed Martin said it delivered 100,000 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles worldwide.
Plans to launch a Hellfire Romeo missile in a dusty mountainous area
AGM-114R Hellfire Romeo Missile
In 2010, the U.S. Army began production of the AGM-114R missile, also known as the “Hellfire Romeo”, which can be used against soft, hard and closed targets. Romeo incorporates the capabilities of all previous Hellfire missile models and can target targets that previously required multiple Hellfire missile models to accomplish. It can be launched from higher altitudes than previous models, and a single shot is enough to destroy a target thanks to a new multi-purpose warhead.
The AGM-114 R9X Hellfire missile, also known as the “Ninja Bomb”, is another member of the Hellfire missile family, first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Designed for precision strikes to minimize collateral damage, the missile’s six long blades open seconds before impact and can penetrate a house or car roof.
Hellfire 2 Missile Application Specifications and Platforms
The AGM-114L Hellfire Longbow missile has a range of 8,000 meters and a “fire and forget” capability. It uses a millimeter wave (MMW) radar and can operate in adverse weather conditions on the battlefield using shielding materials. The rocket weighs 108 pounds and is 71 inches long. Production of the Hellfire II missile began in 1995 and ended in 2005, with the United States maintaining the missile in inventory until 2025.
The AGM-114R Hellfire II missile, also known as the Hellfire Romeo missile, has a range of 8,000 meters and uses a semi-active laser guidance system. It weighs 108 pounds, has a subsonic speed, and is 5 feet 11 inches tall.
JAGM: Joint Air-to-Ground Missile
The next generation of Hellfire missiles, the self-guided air-to-ground missile that will replace the Hellfire missile, is the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM).
With JAGM, targets can be attacked from greater and safer distances than existing missiles, during the day or night, in adverse weather conditions, and in dispersed battlefield conditions. The new missile will have greater fire-and-forget capabilities, the ability to hit moving targets, cope with adverse weather conditions, and have greater operational flexibility.
How much does the AGM-114 Hellfire missile cost?
There is no specific information on the cost of the Hellfire 2 missile. Pentagon contracts vary by year, military procurement, and variant. We reviewed all publicly available Hellfire 2 missiles for sale since 2010 and concluded that the average unit cost, including training and technical support, is between $130,000 and $160,000.
In 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense ordered 2,109 Hellfire 2 missiles, including Romeo missiles and training models, for $150 million, with an average unit price of more than $71,000. However, these prices almost double when the program includes support related to training, technical assistance, spare parts, repairs, and logistical support.
The chart shows the cost of Hellfire II missiles over the years for the United Kingdom, France, and the Netherlands.
In 2015, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 1,000 AGM-114 Hellfire II missiles to Lebanon for $146 million, at a price of $146,000 each. The sale also included repairs, returns, spare parts, support equipment, documentation, employee training, equipment, logistics, and technical support services.
In 2016, the United States sold 4,000 AGM-114 R/K Hellfire missiles to the UAE, including training and technical assistance. The total cost of the program was estimated at approximately $476 million, with each unit valued at $119,000. In 2011, the UAE purchased 500 AGM-114R3 Hellfire missiles and related equipment, training, and logistical support at an estimated cost of $65 million. Each unit costs $130,000.
In 2017, the United States sold 250 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles and 24 M36E8 CATM missiles to the Netherlands for $34 million.
In March 2021, South Korea purchased 288 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, training, and technical support for $36 million (the average unit cost was $125,000). In previous years, it also spent $81 million to purchase 400 AGM-114R1 Hellfire II missiles, 100 ATM-114Q air-to-air training missiles, and 12 M36E8 Hellfire II air-to-air training missiles.
In 2020, the United States sold 395 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles with the support of the United Kingdom, with an estimated value of $46 million. This brings the unit price to $116,455. In 2017, the United States sold 1,000 AGM-114-R1/R2 Hellfire II missiles to the United Kingdom, as well as logistics support services and related projects, with an estimated price of $150 million ($150,000 per unit).
In 2015, the United Kingdom purchased 500 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles for $80 million. The unit price of this sale was $160,000. In 2013, the United Kingdom spent $95 million to purchase 500 AGM-114-N4/P4 Hellfire missiles, with a total unit price of $190,000.
The chart shows the cost of Hellfire II missiles in various countries in the Middle East and Asia.
In 2016, France bought 200 AGM-114K1A Hellfire missiles for $30 million. The unit price (plus support and other related equipment) is $150,000.
In 2015, Iraq spent $800 million to buy 5,000 AGM-114K/N/R Hellfire missiles and 10 M36E9 114K aerial training missiles, with the whole system costing about $160,000. A year earlier, Iraq ordered 500 AGM-114K/R Hellfire missiles for $82 million. The unit cost in 2014 was $164,000.
Egypt, the largest Arab country, bought 356 AGM-114K/R3 Hellfire II missiles in 2015 for $57 million. The unit price is $160,000.
In 2012, Qatar purchased 700 AGM-114K3A or AGM-114R3 Hellfire missiles for an estimated $137 million. The unit price is $196,000.
In 2012, Kuwait requested the purchase of 300 AGM-114R3 Hellfire II missiles for an estimated $49 million. A Hellfire missile unit, plus technical support and training, costs $163,000.
Countries using the AGM-114 Hellfire Missile
The United States has sold the AGM-114 Hellfire missile to 30 U.S. allies, including six Middle Eastern countries. These include:
Australia, Croatia, Egypt, France, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
