1990 Gulf War

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family in the 1990 Gulf War

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache crews used Hellfire missiles in the 1990 Gulf War, including the January 17, 1991 Task Force Normandy strike that opened a corridor through Iraqi early-warning radar coverage.

Weapon profileAGM-114 Hellfire missile family
SideCoalition forcesRoleLong-Range Strike
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, Munitions - 1990 Gulf War
Image source: Wikimedia Predator Hellfire photo

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches used Hellfire missiles against Iraqi early-warning radar sites on January 17, 1991.

Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Redstone Hellfire System History, Air & Space Forces Apache Attack

The raid was Task Force Normandy and was intended to open an air corridor for the first coalition strikes into Iraq.

Sources: Army University Press Task Force Normandy, Redstone Desert Storm Role

Hellfire missiles were fired more broadly during Operation Desert Storm against targets including armor, radar sites, bunkers, and fortified positions.

Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role

Timeline

AGM-114 Hellfire missile family In 1990 Gulf War

  1. Gulf crisis begins

    Iraq's invasion of Kuwait triggered the deployment and later combat use of U.S. Army missile systems in Southwest Asia, including Hellfire-equipped Apache units.

    Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role

  2. Apache Hellfire strike opens Desert Storm

    Eight U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches fired Hellfire missiles and Hydra-70 rockets at Iraqi early-warning radar sites, destroying the sites and opening an air corridor for coalition strikes.

    Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Redstone Hellfire System History, Army University Press Task Force Normandy

  3. Operation Desert Storm combat phase ends

    By the end of the campaign, Redstone's history estimated that thousands of Hellfire missiles had been fired during Operation Desert Storm against armor, radar sites, bunkers, and fortified positions.

    Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The AGM-114 Hellfire missile family was used by U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters during the 1990 Gulf War. A U.S. Army Redstone Arsenal history states that eight Apaches from the 101st Airborne Division crossed into Iraq before dawn on January 17, 1991 and launched laser-guided Hellfire missiles against two Iraqi early-warning ground-control radar sites.

The same Army account describes the Apaches firing Hellfire missiles and 2.75-inch Hydra-70 rockets at 02:38, destroying the radar sites within four minutes and opening a corridor for the first coalition air strikes into Iraq. Redstone's Hellfire system history separately identifies the engagement as the first shots of Operation Desert Storm.

Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role, Redstone Hellfire System History

Task Force Normandy

Army University Press identifies the January 17 mission as Task Force Normandy, a joint Army-Air Force operation built around eight Army AH-64 Apache helicopters and four Air Force MH-53J Pave Low helicopters. Its purpose was to destroy two Iraqi early-warning radar sites and open an air corridor at the beginning of the air campaign.

Army University Press records that the Apaches were recommended for the mission with Hellfire missiles, Hydra-70 rockets, and 30 mm guns because the attack helicopters could destroy hard and soft targets. Air & Space Forces Magazine's contemporary account likewise describes the Apache crews releasing laser-guided Hellfire missiles against the Iraqi radar sites in the predawn hours of January 17, 1991.

Sources: Army University Press Task Force Normandy, Air & Space Forces Apache Attack

Broader Gulf War role

Hellfire use in the war was not limited to the opening radar raid. Redstone's Desert Storm history says the anti-armor missile systems sent to Southwest Asia included Dragon, Hellfire, Shillelagh, and TOW, and that only Shillelagh was not used in combat during Operation Desert Storm.

Redstone further estimates that between 2,900 and 4,000 Hellfire missiles were fired during Operation Desert Storm, with 80 to 90 percent judged to have hit their targets. The same source lists target types that included tanks, other armored vehicles, radar sites, bunkers, and fortified positions, while noting that Hellfire's long range also contributed to several friendly-fire incidents.

Sources: Redstone Desert Storm Role

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Sources