Is Missile: | yes |
AGM-80 Viper | |
Origin: | United States |
Type: | Air-to-surface missile |
Used By: | United States Air Force |
Manufacturer: | Chrysler Corporation Missile Division |
Spec Label: | XAGM-80A |
Filling: | Bomblet |
Guidance: | Inertial |
Detonation: | Radar altimeter |
The AGM-80 Viper was an air-to-surface missile developed by the Chrysler Corporation Missile Division in the 1960s for use by the United States Air Force. Based on the AGM-12 Bullpup, the program was cancelled early in trials. Viper was designed as a "self-guided standoff munition" for use in the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses ("Iron Hand") role. The Viper, based on the AGM-12C/E Bullpup missile, was fitted with an inertial guidance system, and had a radar altimeter-based fuse to ensure an airburst of the weapon's bomblet payload. It was developed in competition with the AGM-79 Blue Eye missile, but was cancelled in the early 1970s, shortly after the start of flight tests of the prototype missiles, designated XAGM-80A.