Armament
Cruise Missiles
Delillah
The Delilah missile is an air-launched stand-off missile and cruise missile developed in Israel by Israel Military Industries (IMI), with a maximum range of 250km and designed to target moving and re-locatable targets with a CEP of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). It can be fitted with a variety of warheads which can be targeted on both land and sea targets. It has a turbo jet engine that is able to loiter, allowing it to target well-hidden threats in addition to moving targets. Its maneuverability makes the missile ideal for destroying Surface-to-air missile threats. Unlike a typical cruise missile, which is locked onto a pre-programmed target prior to launch, the Delilah missile is to “patrol” and surveil an area before a remote navigator identifies the specific target of the attack, the on-board autopilot and INS/GPS navigation system allows the missile to perform its mission autonomously. A data link enables intervention and target validation. According to Air Force Monthly in it’s July 2014, Morocco has purchased this system during the F-5’s upgrade to Tiger III standart.
Launch Platform: F-5TIII.
Air to Ground Missiles
AGM-65 Maverick D/G/H
RMAF AGM-65 Missile under F-5TIII Wing.
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile (AGM) designed for close air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities. The RMAF operates:
- Maverick D replaced the electro-optical guidance with an imaging infrared system which doubled practical firing distance and allowed for use at night and during bad weather. A reduced smoke rocket engine was also introduced in this model. Achieved initial operation capability in 1983.
- Maverick G model essentially has the same guidance system as the D with some software modification that enables the pilot to track larger targets. The G model’s major difference is its heavier penetrator warhead taken from Maverick E, compared to the D model’s shaped-charge warhead. Completed tests in 1988.
- Maverick H model is an AGM-65B/D missile upgraded with a new charge-coupled device (CCD) seeker better suited for desert environment.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
AGM-88 HARM B/C
RMAF F-16 Block 52+ With AGM-88 HARM Missiles.
The AGM-88 High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) is a tactical, air-to-surface missile designed to home in on electronic transmissions coming from surface-to-air radar systems. The RMAF operates the next variants:
- The AGM-88B had the Block II seeker from the beginning, but had improved computer hardware in its WGU-2B/B guidance section, compatible with the forthcoming Block III software. This Block III update, available from 1990, improved the in-flight reprogramming (a.k.a. flexing) capabilities of the AGM-88B, as well as the PB mode targeting capabilities.
- The AGM-88C major hardware improvement was a new WDU-37/B warhead with 12800 tungsten alloy fragments and a revised explosive charge, which significantly enhanced the lethality of the missile. The AGM-88C was initially produced with Block IV software in the upgraded WGU-2C/B guidance section. The WGU-2C/B used a single antenna instead of the previous two, and has a much more powerful signal processor. Block IV software was updated to counter the latest threats, and increased TOO mode capability by doubling the seeker range sensitivity. Using GPS guidance as a primary means of homing on the target, Block VI HARMs could even be used as general purpose high-speed precision ground attack missiles.
Launch Platform: F-16 Block 52+.
HOT I/II
RMAF SA342L Gazelle with HOT Missiles
The HOT (Haut subsonique Optiquement Téléguidé Tiré d’un Tube, or High Subsonic Optical Remote-Guided, Tube-Launched) is a second-generation long-range anti-tank missile system. The RMAF operates the next variants:
- HOT 1. First production with a 5kg HEAT warhead, an estimated 800 mm armor penetration with a max range of 4km.
- HOT 2. Second production model bigger (1.30m W x 150mm D), with a 5Kg HEAT and an estimated 900mm armor penetration and max range of 4k.
Launch Platform: SA342 Gazelle Hellicopter.
Precision-guided munition
GBU-10 Paveway II
GBU-10 PAV II dropped by a USAF B-1 hits a small boat at sea
Launch Platform: F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
GBU-12 Paveway II
RMAF F-16 Block 52+ With GBU-12 PAV II Bombs.
The Guided Bomb Unit-12 (GBU-12) with folding wings (Paveway II) utilizes a 500-pound general purpose warhead. The operator illuminates a target with a laser designator and then the munition guides to a spot of laser energy reflected from the target.
Launch Platform: F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
GBU-24 Paveway III
The Guided Bomb Unit-24 (GBU-24) Low Level Laser Guided Bomb [LLLGB] consists of either a 2,000-pound MK-84 general purpose or BLU-109 penetrator bomb modified with a Paveway III low-level laser-guided bomb kit to add the proportional guidance in place of the bang-bang type used in the Paveway II. The LLLGB was developed in response to Sophisticated enemy air defenses, poor visibility, and to counter limitations in low ceilings. The weapon is designed for low altitude delivery and with a capability for improved standoff ranges to reduce exposure. The GBU-24 LLLGB/Paveway III has low-level, standoff capability of more than 10 nautical miles. Performance envelopes for all modes of delivery are improved because the larger wings of the GBU-24 increases maneuverability. Paveway III also has increased seeker sensitivity and a larger field of regard.
Unlike the Paveway II LGB, the LLLGB can correct for relatively large deviations from planned release parameters in the primary delivery mode (low-altitude level delivery). It also has a larger delivery envelope for the dive, glide and loft modes than does the earlier LGB. The wide field of view and midcourse guidance modes programmed in the LLLGB allow for a “Point Shoot” delivery capability. This capability allows the pilot to attack the target by pointing the aircraft at the target and releasing the weapon after obtaining appropriate sight indications. The primary advantage of this capability is that accurate dive/tracking is not required to solve wind drift problems.
Launch Platform: F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
AASM
A RMAF Pilot with a AASM
The Armement Air-Sol Modulaire (Air-to-Ground Modular Weapon) (AASM) is a French Precision-Guided Munition developed by Sagem Défense Sécurité. AASM comprises a frontal guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit matched to a dumb bomb. The weapon is modular because it can integrate different types of guidance units and different types of bombs.
The basic version features a 250-kilogram (550 lb) bomb plus hybrid inertial navigation system (INS) / Global Positioning System (GPS) guidance. Other variants add imaging infrared (IIR) or semi-active laser homing (SALH) to increase accuracy; there are also versions with 125-kilogram (280 lb) or 1,000-kilogram (2,200 lb) bomb bodies.
The current model features a 250 kg bomb matched to a nose-mounted guidance kit and a rear-mounted range extension kit, containing a rocket booster and enlarged fins. There is also a 125 kg, first tested in 2009, and a proposed 1000 kg version.
Launch Platform: MF2000.
JDAM/LJDAM
Moroccan F-16 Block 52+ carrying a pair of JDAM.
The Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs, or “dumb bombs” into all-weather “smart” munitions. JDAM-equipped bombs are guided by an integrated inertial guidance system coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, giving them a published range of up to 15 nautical miles (28 km). The guidance system was developed by the United States Air Force and United States Navy, hence the “joint” in JDAM. The JDAM was meant to improve upon laser-guided bomb and imaging infrared technology, which can be hindered by bad ground and weather conditions.
The Laser JDAM (LJDAM) adds a laser seeker to the nose of a JDAM equipped bomb, giving the ability to engage moving targets to the JDAM. It consists of the Laser Seeker itself, now known as DSU-38/B, and a wire harness fixed under the bomb body to connect the DSU-38/B with the tailkit. This dual guidance system retains the ability to operate on GPS/INS alone, if laser guidance is unavailable, with the same accuracy of the earlier JDAM.
Launch Platform: F-16 Block 52+.
GPB and Cluster
Mark 82
The Mark 82 (Mk 82) is an unguided, low-drag general-purpose bomb with a nominal weight of 500 lb (227 kg), it is the one of the smallest in current service, and one of the most common air-dropped weapons in the world. Although the Mk 82’s nominal weight is 500 lb (227 kg), its actual weight varies considerably depending on its configuration, from 510 lb (232 kg) to 570 lb (259 kg). It is a streamlined steel casing containing 192 lb (89 kg) of Tritonal high explosive. The Mk 82 is offered with a variety of fin kits, fuzes, and retarders for different purposes.
The Mk 82 is the warhead for the GBU-12 laser-guided bombs and for the GBU-38 JDAM.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
Mark 84
The Mark 84 or BLU-117 is an American general-purpose bomb, it is also the largest of the Mark 80 series of weapons. The Mark 84 has a nominal weight of 2,000 lb (907.2 kg), but its actual weight varies depending on its fin, fuze options, and retardation configuration, from 1,972 to 2,083 lb (894.5 to 944.8 kg). It is a streamlined steel casing filled with 945 lb (428.6 kg) of Tritonal high explosive.
The Mark 84 is capable of forming a crater 50 feet (15.2 m) wide and 36 ft (11.0 m) deep. It can penetrate up to 15 inches (381.0 mm) of metal or 11 ft (3.4 m) of concrete, depending on the height from which it is dropped, and causes lethal fragmentation to a radius of 400 yards (365.8 m).
Many Mark 84s have been retrofitted with stabilizing and retarding devices to provide precision guidance capabilities. They serve as the warhead of a variety of precision-guided munitions, including the GBU-10/GBU-24/GBU-27 Paveway laser-guided bombs, GBU-15 electro-optical bomb, GBU-31 JDAM and Quickstrike sea mines.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
CBU-52
The CBU-52, loaded with 220 antimaterial, antipersonnel bomblets, weighs 785 pounds and can be used with a variety of proximity fuzes or the mechanical MK-339 timed fuze. The submunition is a 3.5-inch spherical bomblet weighing 2.7 pounds with a 0.65-pound high-explosive warhead.
The CBU-52, -58 and -71 all use SUU-30 dispensers, a metal cylinder divided longitudinally. One-half contains a strong back section that provides for forced ejection and sway-bracing. The two halves lock together. Four cast aluminum fins are attached at a 9~degree angle to the aft end of the dispenser and are canted 1.25 degrees to impart spin-stabilized flight. When released from the aircraft, the arming wire/lanyard initiates the fuze arming and delay cycle. At fuze function, the fuze booster ignites and unlocks the forward end of the dispenser.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
CBU-58 and CBU-71
CBU-58 and CBU-71 containers during Sahara War
The CBU-58 is loaded with 650 bomblets. These bomblets contain 5-gram titanium pellets, making them incendiary and useful against flammable targets.
The CBU-71 is loaded with 650 BLU-68/B incendiary submunitions which use titanium pellets as the incendiary agent. The bomblet has two separate kill mechanisms, one fragmentation, the other incendiary. Both incorporate a time delay fuze, which detonates at random times after impact.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
CBU-100 Rockeye
The MK-20 Rockeye is a free-fall, unguided cluster weapon designed to kill tanks and armored vehicles. The system consists of a clamshell dispenser, a mechanical MK-339 timed fuze, and 247 dual-purpose armor-piercing shaped-charge bomblets. The bomblet weighs 1.32 pounds and has a 0.4-pound shaped-charge warhead of high explosives, which produces up to 250,000 psi at the point of impact, allowing penetration of approximately 7.5 inches of armor. Rockeye is most efficiently used against area targets requiring penetration to kill. Fielded in 1968, the Rockeye dispenser is also used in the Gator air-delivered mine system.
Launch Platform: Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+.
Rockets
RMAF Mirage F1 armament display
– 68 mm rockets on Matra Type 155 rocket launchers (18x), Thomson-Brandt LR 100-4 launcher (4x), Matra RL Type F2 Launcher (6x) and Matra JL-100 combo rocket launcher / fuel tank (19x). Used by Mirage F1/MF2000, Northrop F–5 and Alpha Jet.
RMAF F-5TIII Armament
– 70 mm rockets on LAU-5003 rocket pods (19×). Used by Northrop F–5 and Alpha Jet.
– 127 mm rockets on LAU-10 rocket pods (4x). Used by Mirage F1/MF2000, Northrop F–5 and Alpha Jet.
Air to Air Missiles
AIM-9 SideWinder
RMAF F-5TIII with CATM-9P Training Missile
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile carried by fighter aircraft. It has a high-explosive warhead and an active infrared guidance system.
The infrared guidance head enables the missile to home on target aircraft engine exhaust. An infrared unit costs less than other types of guidance systems, and can be used in day/night and electronic countermeasures conditions. The infrared seeker also permits the pilot to launch the missile, then leave the area or take evasive action while the missile guides itself to the target. The RMAF operates the next variants :
- The AIM-9L with a more powerful solid-propellant rocket motor as well as tracking maneuvering ability. Improvements in heat sensor and control systems have provided the AIM-9L missile with an all-aspect attack capability and improved guidance characteristics. The L model was the first Sidewinder with the ability to attack from all angles, including head-on. An improved active optical fuze increased the missile’s lethality and resistance to electronic countermeasures. A conical scan seeker increased seeker sensitivity and improved tracking stability. The AIM-9L is configured with an annular blast fragmentation warhead.
- The AIM-9P3/P5: The AIM-9P is either a B/E or J/N rebuilt or all-new and offers new motor, fuze and better reliability. It has greater engagement boundaries, enabling it to be launched farther from the target. The more maneuverable P model also incorporated improved solid-state electronics that increased reliability and maintainability. The AIM-9P-3, combines both the active optical target detector and the reduced-smoke motor. It also has added mechanical strengthening to the warhead as well as the guidance and control section. The improved warhead uses new explosive material that is less sensitive to high temperature and has a longer shelf life. The AIM-9P-5 adds all-aspect capability to conversions and additional counter-countermeasures capability.
- The AIM-9M with the all-aspect capability of the L model, but provides all-around higher performance. The M model has improved defense against infrared countermeasures, enhanced background discrimination capability, and a reduced-smoke rocket motor. These modifications increase ability to locate and lock-on a target and decrease the missile’s chances for detection.
- The AIM-9M-9 with expanded infrared counter measures detection circuitry.
- The AIM-9X-2 is a supersonic, air-to-air, guided missile which employs a passive IR target acquisition system, proportional navigational guidance, a closed-loop position servo Control Actuation Section (CAS), and an AOTD. The AIM-9X is launched from an aircraft after target detection to home in on IR emissions and to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. The missile interfaces with the aircraft through the missile launcher using a forward umbilical cable, a mid-body umbilical connector and three missile hangars. The AIM-9X has three basic phases of operation: captive flight, launch, and free flight. The Block II adds Lock-on After Launch capability with a datalink, so the missile can be launched first and then directed to its target afterwards by an aircraft with the proper equipment for 360 degree engagements. The AIM-9X is integrated with the Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), a helmet-mounted display with capability to cue and verify cueing of high off-boresight sensors and weapons. This missile-helmet marriage provides the aircrew with first-look, first-shot capability in the air-to-air, within visual range, combat arena.
Launch Platform: AIM-9L/P/M (Alpha-Jet, F-5TIII, MF2000 and F-16 Block 52+), AIM-9X Block II ( Only in F-16 Block 52+)
AIM-120C-7
RMAF Pilot cheking his F-16 missiles: AIM-120C7 AMRAAM, AIM-9-M9 SideWinder and AGM-88 HARM (from ouside to inside)
The AIM-120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM) is a new generation air-to-air missile. It has an all-weather, beyond-visual-range capability and is scheduled to be operational beyond 2000. AMRAAM is a supersonic, air launched, aerial intercept, guided missile employing active radar target tracking, proportional navigation guidance, and active Radio Frequency (RF) target detection. It employs active, semi-active, and inertial navigational methods of guidance to provide an autonomous launch and leave capability against single and multiple targets in all environments. The AIM-120C7 includes improvements in homing and greater range up to 130km.
Launch Platform: F-16 Block 52+
R530D
A RMAF Mirage F1 with Matra R530D (under-fuselage hardpoint) and Matra R550 Magic II (wingtip harpoint)
The Matra R.530 is a French medium to short range air-to-air missile. It was available in IR (passive infrared) and SARH with an operational range of 1.5 to 20 km.
Launch Platform: MF-2000
R550 Magic II
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RMAF Mirage F1 with R.550 Magic II
The Magic 2 is a short range, air-to-air missile designed for close-in engagements. It is the French counterpart to the Sidewinder. Magic 2 features an IR seeker, the Magic 2 Mk-2 is the latest and most advanced variant. It’s operational range is from 300m to 15 km and has a flight altitud up to 11 km.
Launch Platform: MF-2000
MICA
MICA missile being loaded under a RMAF Mirage F1MVI (MF2000) wing.
The MBDA MICA (Missile d’interception et de combat aérien, “Interception and Aerial Combat Missile”) is an anti-air multi-target, all weather, fire-and-forget short and medium-range missile system. There are two MICA variants; MICA RF has an active radar homing seeker and MICA IR has an imaging infra-red homing seeker. Both seekers are designed to filter out counter-measures such as chaff and decoy flares. A thrust vector control unit fitted to the rocket motor increases the missile’s agility. The missile is capable of lock-on after launch (LOAL) which means it is capable of engaging targets outside its seeker’s at-launch acquisition range. The MICA IR can provide IR imagery to the central data processing system, thus acting as an extra sensor. The operational range is from 500 m to 80 km with a flight altitud up to 11km.
Launch Platform: MF-2000
PODs
Lockheed Martin Sniper XR Targeting Pod
RMAF F-16 Block 52+ with Sniper XR Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP)
The Sniper ATP is a single, lightweight pod with much lower aerodynamic drag than the legacy systems it replaces. The Sniper possesses advanced targeting technology and its image processing allows aircrews to detect and identify tactical-size targets outside threat rings for the destruction of enemy air defense mission, as well as outside jet noise ranges for urban counter-insurgency operations.
The Sniper ATP incorporates a multi-spectral sensor capability with a high-resolution, mid-wave third-generation FLIR and a CCD-TV. Advanced sensors, combined with advanced image processing algorithms and rock-steady stabilization produce target identification ranges that permit operations minimizing exposure to many threat systems. The dual-mode laser offers an eye safe mode for urban combat and training operations, along with a laser-guided bomb designation laser for guiding in these precision munitions. For target coordination with ground and air forces, a laser spot tracker, a laser marker, and a TV quality video down link to joint terminal air controllers improve rapid target detection / identification. Sniper ATP provides high-resolution imagery highly sought after for the non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance mission.
LITENING II Targeting Pod
RMAF’s Northrop F-5F Tiger III with LITENING II Targeting Pod
Litening Airborne Day/Night Navigation & Targeting Pod provides precision strike capability to every fighter aircraft, It provides reduced pilot workload during targeting and tracking, High accuracy and reliability, Reduced operational limitations, Simple maintenance and support, Low life cycle cost, Growth potential, Upgrades existing aircraft with multi-mission capabilities, Adaptable to most aircraft, Detection, recognition, identification and laser designation of air-to-surface and maritime targets, Accurate delivery of laser guided munitions, cluster and general purpose weapons, Laser spot detection and tracking, Identification of aerial targets from the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) and Long range data and video down-link option.
Thales Damocles Targeting Pod
RMAF’s Mirage F1-CM-VI (MF2000) with Thales Damocles Pod
The Damocles is a 3rd generation targeting pod, modular, eye-safe laser, high performance pod selected by the RMAF for its MF200 upgraded fighter aircraft .
Damocles features a long-range laser designator, an integrated navigation FLIR and high-resolution imagery, and is fully compatible with Paveway and BGL laser-guided bombs, imagery-guided weapons, and AASM GPS/INS/LASER-guided weapons.
It also features a reconnaissance capability with instant transmission of imagery to ground stations. Overall robustness and ease of maintenance have been improved.
It is capable of guiding laser weapons to their extreme range (16 km) and identifying armoured vehicle targets at 27 km also conducting post-strike analysis at the same range.
AMIN Hares Recce pod
RMAF’s Mirage F1-EH with AMIN HARES Recce Pod
Aero Maroc Industrie (AMIN) HARES is an indigenous reconnaisance pod developed by Aero Maroc with French assistance, Windows in the center section cover a fan of cameras which can give a Horizon-to-horizon coverage. Cooling airscoops and vents at the rear of the pod indicate that some electronic equipment is also carried perhaps including a SLAR or IRLS.
Dassault COR2 reconnaissance pod
RMAF Mirage F1-EH with Dassault COR-2 recce/IRLS Pod
Dassault COR2 multi-camera pod (400 kg/ 882 lb), with sensors operating the visible and infra-red spectra. Contains a fan of 4 OMERA 35 cameras (114×114 mm format) with focal lengths between 150 and 600 mm, OMERA 40 panoramic camera (240 x 47 mm) and SAT Super Cyclope infra-red linescan. Speed and altitude limitations = 600 kt (1100 km/h;690 mph) and 11600 m (38,000 ft).
DB-110 Recce Pod
The DB-110 Recce pod offers advantages over competing systems by relying on dual-environmental conditioning systems, to provide robust ground cooling and multi-altitude operations. Full-size fore and aft data-link antennae enable maximum data-link range throughout a full 360° azimuth.
Goodrich’s DB- 110 Dual-Band airborne reconnaissance sensor, a derivative of the SYERS system, combines visible and infrared imaging capabilities in a compact, lightweight design. This system has proved its performance in both day and night time operations. The DB-110 is the first LOROP (long-range oblique) sensor to provide both long-range and short-range optics to support standoff and penetrating missions, respectively.
ASTAC ELINT Pod
Thales ASTRAC ELINT Pod on Display (Le Bourget 2007)
The ASTAC Pod is an Airborne electronic reconnaissance system that provides autonomous ELINT solution in one pod, Electronic intelligence gathering and electronic environment monitoring, Tactical Electronic Reconnaissance, Ultra high precision direction finding associated with sophisticated signal processing, Real time unambiguous identification of emitters, Real time target geolocation and classification, Fingerprinting, Data recording with PCMCIA card for post-flight ELINT analysis, Detection and deinterleaving of more than 400 target emitters during a typical one flight hour operational mission.
Elettronica ELT/555 (ACS) ECM pod
RMAF’s Mirage F1-EH with a ELT/555 ECM Pod
The ACS electronic warfare pod, thought to be the Italian Elettronica SpA ELT-555 Airborne Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) and radar jamming system, were used in the electronic warfare role (Jamming/Self-Protection) on the Mirage F1, Buccaneer and Impala. They were also refered to as “Bikini”.
The ELT/555 is a self-contained self protection ECM pod for supersonic fighter aircraft. Electrical power generation is ensured by a ram-air turbine located on the nose of the pod. Internal equipment include fore and aft facing antennas which receive pulsed and continuous wave signals and transmit pulsed responses, plus separate fore and aft facing continuous wave transmitter antennas on the undersurface. The system operates in H- to J-band (6 to 20 GHz) and is designed to operate in dense electromagnetic environments. It has multiple target contrast capability and features BITE.
PAJ-FA self-protection Pod
RMAF’s MF2000 with (from outside to inside) Matra R550 Magic-II, PAJ-FA Pod and “Hammer” (AASM) smart bomb.
PAJ-FA is a modern and sophisticated multi threat-identification and self-protection pod designed to enhance the survivability of fighters by suppressing multiple surface-to-air and air-to-air threats with an enhanced efficiency against state-of-the-art radars with smart power management, Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) techniques and jamming combination by confusion, deception and saturation.
Royal Moroccan Armed Forces 