United States General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems
AGM-122 Sidearm
US anti-radiation missile derived from the AIM-9 Sidewinder airframe, used to target enemy radar systems from helicopters and light attack aircraft.
In service since 1986
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-05
15
km range
2.5
Mach
11
kg warhead
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
US ITAR-controlled
Export needs U.S. State Dept (DDTC) approval; end-use & re-transfer restrictions apply.
Channel: Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sale
Fielded & proven
Operator data not public
In service since 1986. Status: active.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters. | 2.5 Mach |
|---|---|
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 15 km |
Firepower
Armament, payload and guidance.
| Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range. | 11 kg |
|---|---|
| Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable. | Blast-fragmentation (WDU-31/B) |
| Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire. | Broad-band passive radar seeker |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable. | 2.87 m |
|---|---|
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 0.63 m |
| Width Overall width, matters for rail/road transport of vehicles. | 0.13 m |
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 88 kg |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Engine Powerplant model and type. | Hercules Mk 36 Mod 11 solid-fuel rocket motor |
|---|---|
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Solid-fuel rocket |
Specifications compiled from public General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-05.
Compare with rivals
See how it stacks up
Head-to-head comparisons
AGM-122 Sidearm vs
IRIS-T 
AAM-4 Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm? +
The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm has a maximum range of 15 km.
How much does the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm weigh? +
The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm has a combat weight of 88 kg.
What engine does the General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm use? +
The General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems AGM-122 Sidearm is powered by the Hercules Mk 36 Mod 11 solid-fuel rocket motor.
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