en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air-to-surface_missile
3 corrections found
Mistral
Mistral is not an air-to-surface missile. MBDA describes it as a very short-range air-defence missile system.
Full reasoning
In this article, Mistral is listed as a French air-to-surface missile, but MBDA classifies MISTRAL as an air-defence / force-protection missile family, not a ground-attack weapon.
MBDA’s official MISTRAL 3 product page says the missile provides “protection capability against a wide range of threats” and discusses the diversity and complexity of air threat for land, sea and air operations. MBDA also lists MISTRAL under its Force Protection products, not its air-to-surface strike weapons.
A separate MBDA factsheet is even more explicit: “MISTRAL MANPADS is a very short range air defence weapon system, firing the MISTRAL”. That directly contradicts presenting Mistral here as an air-to-surface missile.
2 sources
- MISTRAL 3 | MBDA
The MISTRAL 3 is a versatile multi-domain, multiplatform combat proven missile which offers comprehensive protection capability against a wide range of threats.
- MISTRAL MANPADS factsheet | MBDA
MISTRAL MANPADS is a very short range air defence weapon system, firing the MISTRAL, latest generation fire-and-forget missile.
Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM)
SACM was an air-to-air weapon concept, not an air-to-surface missile.
Full reasoning
This entry is included in a list of air-to-surface missiles, but official U.S. government material describes the Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM) as an air-to-air weapon.
In March 2017 testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air Force leaders said: “The SACM is a smaller, affordable air to air weapon” intended to increase magazine depth for future aircraft. A separate congressional hearing record likewise says SACM would provide high loadouts compared to current air-to-air missiles.
So the problem is not the missile’s existence as a concept; it is that this article places SACM in a list of air-to-surface missiles, which conflicts with official descriptions of SACM as an air-to-air weapon concept.
2 sources
- Statement for the record before the Senate Armed Services Committee (March 29, 2017)
The SACM is a smaller, affordable air to air weapon that is required to increase magazine depth and maximize utility of a PCA capability.
- House Armed Services Committee hearing record (2016)
One of the new weapon concepts being explored is the Small Advanced Capabilities Missile (SACM). The SACM will be affordable and provide high loadouts compared to current air-to-air missiles.
AGM-179 JAGM (in development)
AGM-179 JAGM is no longer merely 'in development.' The U.S. Marine Corps declared Initial Operational Capability for JAGM in March 2022.
Full reasoning
This status is outdated. Official U.S. Navy / NAVAIR material states that the AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the Marine Corps on March 1, 2022.
NAVAIR’s announcement says the Marine Corps declared IOC for JAGM on the AH-1Z Viper, meaning the weapon had moved beyond a purely developmental state and into operational fielding. NAVAIR’s JAGM program page also describes it as an Army-led program used on joint rotary-wing, unmanned, and fixed-wing platforms, and links to the IOC announcement.
That means describing AGM-179 JAGM simply as “in development” is inaccurate as written.
2 sources
- Marine Corps Joint Air-to-Ground Missile achieves Initial Operational Capability | NAVAIR
The U.S. Marine Corps declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) on the AH-1Z Viper, March 1.
- JAGM | NAVAIR
The U.S. Marine Corps declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the AGM-179A Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) on the AH-1Z Viper, March 1.