Hellfire Sys Summary

The Hellfire System is a crucial element of the Army's missile procurement strategy, aimed at enhancing precision-strike capabilities for rotary and fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems (UAS). It is designed to target high-value assets, including advanced armor and various traditional and non-traditional targets. The Hellfire II missiles, part of this system, use semi-active laser guidance for precision targeting and are primarily deployed on the Army's AH-64 Apache helicopters, UAS platforms, and Special Operations Aviation Regiment aircraft.

A key objective of the Hellfire System is to improve operational efficiency through technological advancements. The introduction of a multi-purpose warhead has significantly reduced the number of missile variants required. This change streamlines logistics and mission planning for Army Aviation. Additionally, the system includes a variable electronic fuze that allows operators to select the "height-of-burst," enhancing tactical flexibility in diverse combat scenarios.

Although the Hellfire Longbow missiles are no longer in production, they continue to play a vital role due to their millimeter-wave radar guidance capabilities. This feature provides "beyond line-of-sight" and "fire-and-forget" functionalities, which are particularly advantageous in adverse weather conditions and obscured battlefield environments. The Longbow variant shares components such as the warhead, motor, and control section with the Hellfire II, ensuring compatibility and ease of integration across platforms.

Despite its significance, there is no allocation for the Hellfire System in FY 2025. However, its importance is underscored by its role in homeland defense missions and domestic emergency responses as mandated by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act. This highlights the system's dual utility in both military operations and civil support functions.