Hellfire

The Hellfire Missile Program is a Navy budget line item (LI 2254) under Weapons Procurement, specifically categorized as Other Missiles and Tactical Missiles. The primary goal of this program is the procurement and sustainment of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, which are laser-guided munitions designed for use against a variety of stationary, moving, land, aerial, and maritime targets. These missiles are deployed from both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, providing the Navy and Marine Corps with a flexible and precise strike capability. The program supports multiple Hellfire variants, each tailored for specific operational needs, including anti-armor, urban structure engagement, and specialized warheads for confined spaces.

Objectives for the Hellfire line item include the acquisition of All-Up-Rounds (AURs), air training missiles, containers, test sets, and support equipment. The procurement of AURs ensures that service-ready missiles are available for operational deployment, while air training missiles with inert warheads are used for training purposes on ranges where live warheads are not permitted. This preserves tactical missiles for combat use and maintains readiness among aircrews. The program also funds containers and test sets necessary for safe handling, storage, and verification of missile functionality.

Product improvement and conversion efforts are another critical aspect of the Hellfire program. The budget supports ongoing product improvement initiatives, including upgrades to missile components and conversion of existing stocks to newer variants as operational requirements evolve. Conversions may involve adapting older missiles to newer warhead types or trajectory profiles, such as blast fragmentation sleeves or variants with trajectory shaping for vertical structures. These efforts ensure the missile inventory remains relevant and effective against emerging threats.

Training and test equipment procurement is included to support the operational and training needs of the Navy and Marine Corps. This encompasses the acquisition of inert missiles for training, as well as specialized test equipment to validate missile performance and reliability. By investing in these resources, the program aims to maintain high levels of proficiency among personnel and ensure that deployed missiles meet stringent operational standards.

Production engineering and integrated logistics support are funded to facilitate the efficient manufacture, fielding, and sustainment of Hellfire missiles. Production engineering support addresses technical challenges in manufacturing and integration, while integrated logistics support covers the planning and execution of maintenance, supply chain management, and lifecycle sustainment activities. These objectives are critical for minimizing downtime and maximizing the operational availability of missile systems.

Justification for continued investment in the Hellfire program is based on its proven effectiveness and versatility in a wide range of combat scenarios. FY 2024 marks the final year of procurement for the Navy and Marine Corps, as the Hellfire system is being phased out in favor of the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). Despite this transition, the Hellfire remains in production for the Army, and prior year funding for the Navy included related munitions such as Viper Strike and Griffin, reflecting a comprehensive approach to tactical missile capability.