SERVICE GUIDED MISSILES Missiles have been operational for several years. Still,   research   on   missiles   continuously   produces changes  in  the  missile  field.  The  missiles  discussed  in this manual are presently operational. Sparrow III Guided Missile The AIM-7F/M missile (fig. 3-6) is a supersonic, air-to-air DTRM, guided missile. It is designed to be rail  or  ejection  launched  from  an  interceptor  aircraft. The missile’s tactical mission is to intercept and destroy enemy  aircraft  in  all-weather  environments.  It  is designed  to  be  launched  from  the  F-14  and  F/A-18 aircraft. The  AIM-7F/M  missile  is  a  semiactive  missile. Missile  guidance  depends  on  RF  energy  radiated  by  the launching aircraft and reflected by the target. Excluding the radome, the missile body has four sectional tubular shells  that  house  the  major  functional  components.  The four  major  functional  components  are  the  target  seeker, flight  control,  warhead,  and  rocket  motor.  The  overall length of the missile is approximately 142 inches with a diameter of 8 inches. It weighs approximately 510 pounds. The  missile  is  issued  to  the  fleet  as  an all-up-round (AUR). The only assembly required at fleet  level  is  the  installation  of  the  wing  and  fin assemblies, which are shipped in separate shipping containers. The radome is ceramic and forms the nose piece of the missile. It does not obstruct RF energy. It covers the RF head assembly of the target seeker and provides protection  against  environmental  damage. The  target  seeker  receives  and  interprets  the  radar energy  reflected  from  the  target.  Then  it  produces signals that are sent to the flight control section to direct the missile to intercept the target or come within lethal range of it. The flight control consists of the autopilot and the hydraulic  group.  These  function  to  provide  control signals and mechanical energy to move the external control  surfaces  that  guide  the  missile  toward  the  point of intercept, and to stabilize the missile in pitch, yaw, and roll. The  warhead  is  located  between  the  target  seeker and  flight  control  section. The   warhead   is explosive-loaded, and it contains the fuze, fuze booster charge, and the safety and arming (S&A) device. It is a continuous-rod type of warhead. At detonation, the rod sections expand into a continuous ring. Target kill is accomplished by collision of the continuous ring with the target. Detonation is triggered either by a fuze pulse from the target seeker at the nearest point of intercept or a fuze pulse from the flight control upon impact with the target, The DTRM attaches to the aft end of the missile flight control section. It is equipped with a SAFE/ARM igniter assembly that is manually locked in either the SAFE or ARMED position. This switch can only be repositioned with an arming key. When in the SAFE position,  the  arming  key  cannot  be  removed.  This switch prevents accidental firing of the motor. It should not be moved to the ARMED position until immediately before  aircraft  launch. The control surfaces consist of four delta-shaped wing  and  fin  assemblies.  The  wings  and  fins  are designed for quick attachment and release without the use of tools. The wing assemblies attach to the flight control section, which controls their rotary motion to produce the desired pitch, yaw, and roll. The tail fin assemblies  attach  to  fittings  on  the  rear  of  the  rocket motor  and  provide  stability  to  the  missile. Another series of the Sparrow III guided missile is the  RIM-7E  and  RIM-7H.  These  missiles  are surface-to-air  guided  missiles.  They  are  used  in  some ships in the ship’s Basic Point Defense Surface Missile System   (BPDSMS)   and   Improved   Point   Defense Surface Missile System (IPDSMS), respectively. As an Aviation Ordnanceman, your responsibility for these missiles is in the area of handling and stowage only. For  further  information  concerning  the  Sparrow  III (series) missiles, refer to publication organizational, Intermediate,   and   Depot   Maintenance   Instruction Manual with Illustrated Parts Breakdown, NAVAIR 01-265GMAD-9-3 (series). Harpoon Guided Missile The  Harpoon  surface  attack  guided  missile, AGM-84 series (AGM-84/C/D Tactical) air-launched 3-9