The HAWK Air Defense System is one of the world’s most advanced medium-altitude air defense systems.

The HAWK is an all-weather, surface-to-air, medium-range/medium-altitude missile system. Since its development in the 1960s, it has undergone several extensive upgrades. Its current major upgrade –– the Phase III HAWK –– provides increased firepower, enhanced reliability, improved maintenance, and integrated air defense capability through digital computers.

The HAWK system consists of six major components. Its Command Post performs critical command and control functions, including automatic data processing, friend or foe identification, and digital voice and data communications. Continuous Wave and Pulse Acquisition Radars provide low-to-medium-altitude target detection, while the High Power Illuminator tracks and illuminates targets. The HAWK missile performs the target kill function, providing a formidable defense against fixed and rotary wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and short-range tactical ballistic missiles. The launchers, in addition to their missile aiming function, support pre-launch commands and transport the missiles in tactical situations.

The HAWK system has seen action during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the 1967 and 1973 Arab-Israeli Wars, the war in Chad, the Iran-Iraq War and the Persian Gulf War. Its performance and effectiveness have been validated in over 4,000 missile flight tests under the full range of environmental, tactical, and electronic countermeasure conditions.

An upgrade to the Fire Direction Center is now available to replace the current HAWK Command Post. Growth of the HAWK system will involve upgrading to the HAWK-AMRAAM configuration. A joint venture between Raytheon and Kongsberg of Norway, the HAWK-AMRAAM program will increase HAWK system effectiveness and supportability.

The following is from the 1990s upgrade description:

The Air Defense Communications Platform (ADCP), an entirely new addition to the HAWK system, will link the TPS-59 to the HAWK battery and will also transmit formatted data to other theater sensors. This will allow the HAWK to communicate with other TBMD systems through the Joint Tactical Distribution System (JTIDS). These links will allow the air defense commander to cue HAWK with other missile defense systems and integrate the HAWK into the theater missile defense architecture. The ADCP is fully developed, and initial production is scheduled to begin in FY97. The HAWK missiles and warhead are being modified to allow the HAWK to better engage enemy ballistic missiles. Specifically, the upgrade will improve the HAWK's missile fuze and warhead which will result in an "improved lethality missile." Additionally, improvements to the launcher will make the HAWK more mobile and better able to digitally interface with the missiles. The modifications allow missiles to be transported on the launcher itself. The Marine Corps will have 1,000 improved lethality missiles installed by the end of FY97.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Raytheon Corporation
Power plant: Solid propellant rocket motor
Propulsion: Solid propellant rocket motor
Length: 12.5 feet (3.81 meters)
Diameter: 13.5 inches (3.84 centimeters)
Height: 13.5 inches (3.84 centimeters)
Weight: 1400 pounds (635 kilograms)
Weight fully armed: 1400 pounds (635 kilograms)
Range: 14.9 miles (24 kilometers)
Ceiling: 30,000 feet (9.14 kilometers)
Speed: Supersonic
Aircraft: Transported by C-130/C-141/C-5 and heavy lift helo (extended load)
Units: 2 active duty and 1 reserve Light Anti-aircraft Missile Battalion
Crew:
Officer: 2
Enlisted: 49
Guidance system: Radar directed semi-active homing
Warheads: One 300 pound (136.2 kg) high explosive missile.
Type of fire: Operator directed/automatic modes
Magazine capacity: 48 missiles/battery
Missile guidance: Semi-active homing.
Target detection: Continuous wave radar and pulse acquisition radars.
Target tracking: High power illuminating continuous wave radar and passive optical.
Rate of fire: 1 missile every 3 seconds
Sensors: High power continuous wave radar (HIPIR)
Continuous wave acquisition radar (CWAR)
Pulse Acquisition Radar (PAR) and passive optical scan
Introduction date: 1962
Unit Replacement Cost: $25,000,000.00
- USMC specifications from their online site.