LAU-118/A missile launcher

Also known as

LAU-118
LAU-118A
LAU-118/A
LAU-118 guided missile launcher
LAU-118(V)1/A
LAU-118(V)2/A
HARM launcher

The LAU-118/A missile launcher is a reusable U.S. single-rail aircraft launcher for the AGM-88 HARM and related anti-radiation missile installations. Air Force and Federal Register sources describe it as the mechanical and electrical bridge between the missile, aircraft rack, launch computer, and host aircraft, while 2022 reporting on Ukraine documented LAU-118/LAU-118A adapter use on Soviet-era fighters firing HARMs in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.

LAU-118/A missile launcher, Reusable single-rail aircraft missile launcher, Support Equipment

Image source: Aircraft Launch Interface Computer Testing

Role in Conflicts

Side: Ukraine

Ukrainian MiG-29 HARM integration in 2022 used a LAU-118/LAU-118A launcher or pylon on a special adapter, with Ukrainian aircraft employing AGM-88 missiles against Russian radar and air-defense targets.

Role details

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Naval Air Systems Command
Type: Reusable single-rail aircraft missile launcher
Service note: 1980s-present
Designed: 1980s
Produced: 1980s-present

Specifications

Launcher type: Reusable single-rail aircraft launcher
Interface: Mechanical and electrical interface between aircraft and AGM-88 HARM
Databus link: HARM communicates with aircraft radar-warning equipment and launch computer through the MIL-STD-1553B digital databus in the F/A-18 installation described by the Air Force Test Center
Umbilical protection: A forward fairing protects the umbilical cable that allows the aircraft to communicate with the missile
Suspension: Can be configured with 14- or 30-inch suspension
Mounting: Typically attached to a BRU-32/A bomb rack on F/A-18 installations
Compatibility: F-16 and F/A-18 aircraft, with a separate Air Force configuration identified for LAU-118(V)2/A

Configuration Notes

Air Force Test Center history distinguishes Navy and Air Force LAU-118 configurations without treating them as separate cataloged weapons. The Navy LAU-118(V)1/A is described as a single-rail launcher modified from the AERO-5B-1 series, while the Air Force LAU-118(V)2/A is electrically different and not interchangeable with the Navy configuration.

AGM-88 HARM Launch Compatibility

The LAU-118/A is the launcher documented for AGM-88 HARM use on aircraft such as the F-16 and F/A-18.

Launched item	Item type	Launch evidence
AGM-88 HARM	Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile	The Air Force Test Center says the LAU-118/A missile launcher is used to launch the AGM-88 HARM from aircraft such as the F-16 and F/A-18. Sources: Aircraft Launch Interface Computer Testing

Launched item

Item type

Launch evidence

AGM-88 HARM

Air-to-surface anti-radiation missile

The Air Force Test Center says the LAU-118/A missile launcher is used to launch the AGM-88 HARM from aircraft such as the F-16 and F/A-18.

Sources: Aircraft Launch Interface Computer Testing

Carrier Aircraft

The LAU-118/A is documented as a HARM launcher for U.S. fighter and electronic-attack aircraft installations rather than as a stand-alone weapon.

Carrier	Carrier type	Carriage evidence
F-16 Fighting Falcon	Multirole fighter	Air Force Test Center history identifies the launcher on F-16 HARM installations and describes the Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer pathway used in an F-16 HARM launch test. Sources: Aircraft Launch Interface Computer Testing
F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)	Carrier-capable fighter	The Air Force Test Center describes the LAU-118/A as HARM launch hardware for F/A-18 aircraft and details a typical F/A-18 installation on a BRU-32/A bomb rack. Sources: Aircraft Launch Interface Computer Testing
F/A-18E/F Super Hornet	Carrier-capable strike fighter	The 2012 Federal Register notice links LAU-118 launchers, HARM/AARGM command-launch-computer hardware, and F/A-18E/F aircraft in the EA-18G conversion package. Sources: LAU-118 Guided Missile Launchers
EA-18G Growler	Electronic attack aircraft	Arnold AFB reported EA-18G store-separation testing that included AGM-88 HARM launch mode and AGM-88/LAU-118 jettison mode, while a 2012 arms-sales notice listed LAU-118 launchers in an EA-18G modification package. Sources: EA-18G Store Separation Testing, LAU-118 Guided Missile Launchers

Wartime Adapter Aircraft

Ukraine's 2022 HARM integration created a documented wartime use case for the launcher outside its original U.S. aircraft ecosystem.

Carrier	Carrier type	Carriage evidence
MiG-29	Adapted fighter aircraft	Reporting on Ukrainian MiG-29 AGM-88 operations described a special adapter that mated the missile's LAU-118/A launcher or dedicated LAU-118 pylon to the Soviet-era aircraft. Sources: Ukrainian Fighter Jets Now Carry US Missiles, Ukrainians Sold Message On HARM Anti-Radiation Missile
Su-27	Adapted fighter aircraft	Coffee or Die reported that Ukrainian Su-27 fighters were also modified to use AGM-88 missiles after describing the MiG-29 adapter arrangement for the LAU-118/A launcher. Sources: Ukrainian Fighter Jets Now Carry US Missiles

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

MiG-29

Adapted fighter aircraft

Reporting on Ukrainian MiG-29 AGM-88 operations described a special adapter that mated the missile's LAU-118/A launcher or dedicated LAU-118 pylon to the Soviet-era aircraft.

Sources: Ukrainian Fighter Jets Now Carry US Missiles, Ukrainians Sold Message On HARM Anti-Radiation Missile

Su-27

Adapted fighter aircraft

Coffee or Die reported that Ukrainian Su-27 fighters were also modified to use AGM-88 missiles after describing the MiG-29 adapter arrangement for the LAU-118/A launcher.

Sources: Ukrainian Fighter Jets Now Carry US Missiles

Launcher Interface

The LAU-118/A matters because it is the removable interface layer between a HARM-family missile and the aircraft carrying it. The launcher is delivered at organizational level with the missile as accessory suspension equipment, then attached to the parent bomb rack for flight.

Missile link

Provides the mechanical and electrical interface between AGM-88 HARM and the aircraft.

Aircraft rack

A typical F/A-18 installation attaches the launcher to a BRU-32/A bomb rack, with 14- or 30-inch suspension available.

Control path

The HARM communicates through aircraft radar-warning equipment, a launch computer, and the MIL-STD-1553B digital databus in the documented F/A-18 installation.

Export And Support Packages

Federal Register arms-sales notices show the launcher as part of larger aircraft and munitions packages rather than as a separate combat system. Australia's 2012 EA-18G package listed 30 LAU-118 guided missile launchers with HARM/AARGM command-launch-computer support, while Taiwan's later F-16 munitions package listed LAU-118A missile launchers with Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer support alongside AGM-88B HARM missiles.

Timeline

LAU-118/A missile launcher Key Events

Nov 18, 1988
F-16 ALIC HARM launch test
The F-16 Combined Task Force conducted its first HARM launch through the Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer, a test history entry that also documents the LAU-118/A launcher interface and suspension details.
May 14, 2007
EA-18G separation testing
Arnold Engineering Development Center reported EA-18G store-separation testing that included AGM-88 HARM launch mode and AGM-88/LAU-118 jettison mode.
Jun 1, 2012
Australia EA-18G conversion package
A Federal Register arms-sales notice listed 30 LAU-118 guided missile launchers in Australia's EA-18G modification-kit package and described the launcher as reusable F/A-18 suspension and launching hardware for HARM and AARGM.
Sep 16, 2022
Ukrainian MiG-29 adapter documented
Reporting on Ukrainian AGM-88 HARM use described a special adapter mating the missile's LAU-118/A launcher or dedicated LAU-118 pylon to MiG-29 aircraft.
Sep 12, 2024
Taiwan F-16 munitions package
A Federal Register arms-sales notice for Taiwan F-16 munitions included LAU-118A missile launchers with Aircraft Launcher Interface Computer support in a package centered on AGM-88B HARM missiles.