Ukrainian MiG‑29s deploy AGM‑88 missiles in radar attacks
On social media, images and recordings from the front are appearing abundantly, much like mushrooms after rain. Many of these are noteworthy, making them hard to overlook. Among them is a photograph showing the launch of an AGM-88 HARM missile from a Ukrainian MiG-29, which is particularly striking.
Ukrainian pilots actively defend the country's airspace, utilising every available aircraft. Although their arsenal includes F-16s, MiG-29 models also play a significant role in Ukraine's skies. One of these aircraft is featured in a photo shared online by profiles such as OSINT Technical on the X platform.
Launch of a missile from a Ukrainian aircraft
The image of the MiG-29 is special, especially as it captures the moment an AGM-88 HARM missile is launched. According to reports on X, the missile was fired at a Russian radar. This ammunition is invaluable for Ukrainians as it incapacitates the enemy's radar. The AGM-88 is essentially a precision-guided weapon designed to destroy enemy radar systems.
This particular missile is used to target equipment that the Russian Federation utilises to track the movements of its adversaries. The AGM-88 homes in on emissions from, among others, air defence systems, allowing Ukrainians to manoeuvre troops through dangerous areas or conduct operations discretely away from the scrutiny of the Russian Federation's military.
The AGM-88 missile in service
It should be noted that the AGM-88 HARM was developed in 1983 and entered service two years later. Each missile is over 13 feet long, with a diameter of around 10 inches and a wingspan slightly over 3 feet. This type of weapon weighs approximately 794 pounds.
The maximum speed of this US-manufactured weapon (produced by Raytheon) is 1,417 mph, with a range of nearly 31 miles. The fragmentation warhead weighs about 154 pounds.
The MiG-29 aircraft, from which the AGM-88 was launched towards the Russian radar, are primarily fighter planes. MiG-29s are designed for air combat and can attack ground targets in flight. They can achieve speeds of around 1,491 mph and operate at altitudes of up to 57,414 feet. Their basic armament includes a GS-30-1 30 mm aircraft cannon, with additional weaponry, such as bombs and missiles, that can be mounted on hardpoints under the fuselage.
