AGM-123 Skipper II

• Is Missile — yes • Name — AGM-123 Skipper II • Origin — United States • Type — Rocket assisted, low-level, laser-guided bomb Air-to-surface missile • Used By — United States Navy, United States Marine Corps • Manufacturer — Emerson Electric • Service — 1985-1990s • Engine — Aerojet Mk 78 dual-thrust solid-fueled rocket • Weight — 582 kg (1,283 lb) • Length — 4.3 m (14 ft 1.2 in) • Diameter — 0.5 m (1 ft 7.6 in) • Wingspan — 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) • Speed — 1,100 km/h (680 mph) • Vehicle Range — 25 km (15.5 statute miles) • Filling — 1000 lb (450 kg) Mk 83 bomb • Guidance — laser-guidance • Detonation — Impact-fuse

The AGM-123 is composed out of a 1000 lb Mark 83 low-drag general purpose bomb fitted with a Paveway guidance kit and one Aerojet Mk 78 solid-propellant rocket that fires upon launch. The rocket allows the AGM-123 to be dropped further away from the target than could free-fall bombs, which helps protect the delivery aircraft from surface-to-air-missiles and anti-aircraft artillery near the target. The AGM-123 was developed at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center and was carried by the A-6E Intruder, A-7 Corsair II, and F/A-18.

Four Skipper missiles launched by A-6E Intruders contributed to sinking the Iranian frigate Sahand during Operation Praying Mantis on April 18, 1988. Skipper missiles were also fired in Operation Desert Storm against Iraqi surface vessels by A-6s and U.S. Marine aircraft.

• Illustration — An AGM-123A Skipper II low-level laser-guided missile mounted on the wing pylon of a Vought A-7 • Illustration — A U.S. Navy Grumman A-6E Intruder as its crew monitors the flight of two AGM-123A low-level, laser-guided missiles