| Penguin | |
|---|---|
 A U.S. Navy SH-60B Seahawk helicopter fires an AGM-119 missile off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in July 2002. | |
| Type | littoralanti-ship missile |
| Place of origin | Norway |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1972–present |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 385 kg (849 lb) (MK2), 370 kg (820 lb) (MK3) |
| Length | 3.0 m (MK2), 3.2 m (MK3) |
| Diameter | 28 cm |
| Wingspan | 1.4 m (MK2), 1.0 m (MK3) |
| Warhead | 120kg (MK2), 130 kg (MK3) |
Detonation mechanism | delayfuze |
| Engine | Solid propellant sustainer |
Operational range | 34+ km (MK2), 55+ km (MK3) |
| Flight altitude | sea skimming |
| Maximum speed | highsubsonic |
Guidance system | pulse-laser,passive IR (MK2),passive IR,radar altimeter (MK3) |
Launch platform | naval ships,helicopters (MK2),fixed-wing aircraft (MK3) |
ThePenguinanti-ship missile, designatedAGM-119 by the U.S. military, is a Norwegianpassive IR seeker-based short-to-medium rangeanti-shipguided missile, designed for naval use.
Penguin was originally developed in a collaboration between theNorwegian Defence Research Establishment (NDRE; Norw.FFI) andKongsberg Våpenfabrikk[1] starting in the early 1960s, with financial support from the U.S. and West Germany. US Navy test facilities and technical assistance were made available to facilitate development.[2] It was the first NATO anti-shipping missile with an IR seeker instead of the commonly usedactive radar seeker. Both hardware and software have been updated since entering series production in 1972.
Initial installation was in 500-kilogram (1,100 lb) deck-mounted box launchers with snap-open doors. These were designed for minimal deck intrusion, allowing them to be retrofitted to existing small ships. The first such installations were onSnøgg-class andStorm-class patrol boats of the Norwegian Navy. The first airborne installations were onF-104Gs of theNorwegian Air Force, the missiles being fitted to standard Bullpup rails on the two underwing hardpoints.
Fire-control was provided by a Kongsberg SM-3 computer which could cue the missiles based on either active radar or passive ESM data.[3]
The Penguin can be fired singly or in coordinated-arrival salvoes. Once launched the launching craft is free to turn away as the missile is inertially guided until the autonomous terminal homing phase. Propelled by asolid rocket engine, latest variants of Penguin can perform random weaving manoeuvres at target approach and strike the target close to the waterline. It can perform a terminal bunt and weave manoeuvre. The 120-kilogram (260 lb)warhead (originally based on that of theAGM-12 Bullpup, built under license by Kongsberg) detonates inside the target ship by using a delayfuze. The MK3, when launched from high altitudes, can initially act as a glidebomb, only firing its rocket engine to extend range, or ideally to achieve maximum speed before hitting the target; for better penetration.
.jpg)
In its various versions, the Penguin can be launched from a number of different weapons platforms:
KDA's successor to the Penguin is theNaval Strike Missile (NSM), offered from 2007 onwards. NSM features an imaging IR-seeker,GPS navigation, aturbojet sustainer engine (for much longer ranges, 185 kilometres [115 mi] or more), and significantly morecomputer performance anddigital signal processing power.
Penguin missiles were donated toUkraine in May 2022.[citation needed]
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) stated in November 2022 that Penguin Mk 2 mod 7 was in service in Brazil, Greece, New Zealand, Spain and Turkey and had been phased out by the US Navy.[4]
Brazil: Acquired for use inBrazilian Navy's S-70B helicopters at a cost of€33 million[5][6]
Greece: In service with theHellenic Navy (since 1980)
New Zealand: In service with theRoyal New Zealand Navy's purchasedRoyal Australian Navy's cancelledSuper Seasprite helicopters, including Penguin Mk 2 Mod 7 missiles and simulator.[7][8]
Spain: In service with theSpanish Navy (since 2003)
Turkey: In service with theTurkish Navy (since 1972)
Ukraine: In service with theArmed Forces of Ukraine since 2022 as part of foreign military aid delivered due to the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine[9]
Norway: In service with both theRoyal Norwegian Navy (since 1972) andRoyal Norwegian Air Force (since 1989)
Sweden: Was in service with theSwedish Navy from 1980, asRobot 12. Taken out of service in 2005. In storage. Set to be replaced.
United States: In service with theUnited States Navy as theAGM-119 (since 1994)