AGM-88 HARM

The AGM-88 HARM is a high-speed air-launched missile designed to home on and destroy enemy radar emitters — specifically SAM (surface-to-air missile) system tracking and fire-control radars. The US supplied HARM missiles to Ukraine in July 2022. Ukrainian engineers adapted them to fire from Su-27 and MiG-29 aircraft, which were not originally certified for the weapon, in a rapid improvised integration that made global headlines.

Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD/DEAD); force Russian air-defence radars to shut down under threat of missile strike After receiving HARMs in August 2022, Ukraine's air force began systematically targeting Russian S-300, Buk, and Tor radar systems. Russian SAM operators adapted by using radars in brief pulses or using data from separate EW assets, reducing their radar exposure time. By 2023, Ukraine had received over 1,000 HARM missiles. The campaign contributed measurably to degrading Russia's long-range air-defence coverage over Ukrainian territory, creating corridors for TB2 and later Su-24 strike operations.

Ukraine (US-supplied, modified for MiG-29/Su-27). First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-08-04.

Passive radar homing — the target's own emission guides the missile Very high speed (Mach 2+) — leaves SAM operators minimal reaction time Forces adversary choice: turn off radar (blind) or risk destruction Can be fired beyond visual range without ground targeting data Combat-proven against Soviet-design SAM systems

If radar shuts down, missile loses lock and may miss Required improvised (non-certified) aircraft integration — reduced reliability Limited effectiveness against passive EO/IR-guided SAMs without radar emissions Not effective against mobile SAMs that remain silent

The AGM-88 HARM has a range of ~150 km (at altitude). The improvised Ukrainian adaptation of HARM to Soviet-era fighters is considered one of the most remarkable engineering feats of the war. US and Ukrainian engineers developed the integration in weeks. The missile forced Russian SAM operators to choose between turning on their radars (and risking destruction) or keeping them off (and losing air surveillance coverage).