AGM-119 Penguin Anti-Ship Missiles For Brazil

28/09/2012 by Paul Fiddian - Armed Forces International's Lead Reporter

The Brazilian Navy is getting AGM-119 Penguin anti-ship guided missiles from Norwegian manufacturer Kongsberg, via a $42 million order placed in September 2012.

These missiles will equip the Brazilian Naval Aviation's brand new Sikorsky S-70B Seahawks, of which it currently has two in service and four more on the way.

These first two Brazilian Naval Aviation Seahawks were inducted last month and the entire fleet of six should have become operational by 2014. Their roles will include surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and search and rescue.

AGM-119 Anti-Ship Missiles

Current AGM-119 anti-ship missile users include the US Navy, the Spanish Navy and the South African Air Force and, since 2007, an upgraded version's been available - the NSM (Naval Strike Missile). The original Penguin anti-ship guided missile's got an active range of 55 kilometres, a length of three metres and boasts a 120 kilogram warhead that's fuze-detonated.

Flying low over the waves, it's got a top speed in the high-subsonic range and its flightpath typically involves random weaves prior to the target impact phase.

The AGM-119 Penguin is now 40 years old and it was the first anti-ship guided missile in NATO's inventory equipped with an IR seeker. It's compatible with a wide range of helicopter types including the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk and UH-60 Black Hawk, the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite and later Westland Lynx variants and can be air-launched or sea-launched.

Brazilian AGM-119 Penguins

The Brazilian AGM-119 Penguin contract calls for the supply of around 40 examples, each one costing in the region of $1m.

Established in 1916, the Brazilian Naval Aviation is tasked with reconnaissance, aircraft carrier support, anti-submarine warfare and air defense duties.

It has about 70 helicopters and aircraft and, besides the AGM-119 Penguins, its other weapons include AIM-9 Sidewinder and MAA-1A Piranha air-to-air missiles, Exocet anti-ship missiles, Mark 46 torpedoes and Mark 82 and Mark 83 bombs.