The helicopter-launched fire and forget (HELLFIRE) missile system is a laser-guided munition capable of catastrophic kills against armored vehicles and hard-ground targets, such as bunkers. HELLFIRE missiles can be fired while the helicopter is hovering or flying up to maximum speed. The laser designator from either the launch aircraft, an accompanying aircraft, or a ground source illuminates the target. A sensor in the nose of the HELLFIRE guides the missile to the laser beam on the target. A HELLFIRE missile weighs 100 pounds and measures 5.3 feet long and 7 inches in diameter.
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page created 11 June 2001