Griffin (missile)

AGM-176 Griffin
Launch of a Griffin during testing
Type	Air-to-ground missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2008–present
Used by	United States Air Force United States Navy United States Marine Corps Central Intelligence Agency
Wars	War in Afghanistan Iraq War
Production history
Manufacturer	Raytheon
Produced	2008–present
Specifications
Weight	45 pounds (20 kg) (w/ launch tube)
Length	42 inches (110 cm)
Diameter	5.5 inches (140 mm)
Warhead	Blast-fragmentation
Warhead weight	13 lb (5.9 kg)
Propellant	Solid fuel rocket
Operational range	5 mi (8.0 km) surface launch 12.5 miles (20.1 km) at altitude
Guidance system	Laser, GPS or INS
Launch platform	MQ-1, MQ-9 and other UAVs

The AGM-176 Griffin is a lightweight, precision-guided munition developed by Raytheon. It can be launched from the ground or air as a rocket-powered missile or dropped from the air as a guided bomb. It carries a relatively small warhead, and was designed to be a precision low-collateral damage weapon for irregular warfare. It has been used in combat by the United States military in Afghanistan.

Raytheon developed Griffin as a low-cost modular system, using components from earlier projects, including the FGM-148 Javelin and the AIM-9X Sidewinder. It was originally designed to be launched from the US Special Operations Command's MC-130W Dragon Spear gunship and can be guided either by a semi-active laser seeker or with GPS. Its precision combined with a relatively small 5.9 kg warhead reduces collateral damage.

The munition comes in two versions. Griffin A is an unpowered precision munition that can be dropped from a rear cargo door or a door-mounted launcher that can drop while the cabin is pressurized. Weighing 15 kg and measuring 1.1 meters in length, it is launched from a 10-tube "Gunslinger" launcher that fits on the rear ramp of a Marine KC-130 tanker/transport or the USAF AC-130W Stinger II.

Griffin Block II B is a short-range, rocket-powered air-to-surface or surface-to-surface missile that can be fired from UAVs as well as helicopters, attack aircraft, U.S. Air Force AC-130W gunships, and USMC KC-130J tankers.