2003 Iraq War

M299 Launcher in the 2003 Iraq War

U.S. Army AH-64D Apache aircraft used M299 launchers as the Hellfire launcher interface in Iraq, where Apaches carried and fired HELLFIRE II and Longbow HELLFIRE missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Weapon profileM299 Launcher
SideUnited States and coalition forcesRoleFire SupportAnti-Armor
M299 Launcher, Reusable multi-platform missile launcher, Support Equipment - 2003 Iraq War
Image source: AGM-179 JAGM Wikimedia Image

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
The M299 launcher was supplied to the U.S. Army for Apache aircraft, and Apache carried and fired HELLFIRE II and Longbow HELLFIRE missiles in Iraq.

Sources: Lockheed Martin JCM Apache Flight

The M299 Longbow Hellfire Launcher is a four-rail launcher designed for the AH-64D Apache Longbow and capable of carrying and launching AGM-114 missiles.

Sources: Federal Register M299 Launcher, Army JAMS Hellfire Launcher

AH-64D Longbow Apache aircraft deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and conducted combat missions during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sources: DOT&E FY2004 AH-64D

Official Iraq media records show Apaches armed with Hellfire missiles in Baghdad and firing Hellfire in Iraq during later Operation Iraqi Freedom operations.

Sources: DVIDS Hellfire OIF Image, DVIDS Apache Gun Camera

Timeline

M299 Launcher In 2003 Iraq War

  1. AH-64D Longbow Apaches deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan

    DOT&E reported that 128 AH-64D Longbow Apache aircraft, the M299's original Apache platform, deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq during the previous year and conducted combat missions.

    Sources: DOT&E FY2004 AH-64D

  2. Lockheed Martin connects M299-equipped Apaches to Iraq Hellfire firing

    Lockheed Martin stated that it supplied the M299 launcher to the Army for Apache aircraft and that Apache had carried and fired HELLFIRE II and Longbow HELLFIRE missiles in Iraq.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin JCM Apache Flight

  3. Apache documented in Baghdad with Hellfire missiles

    DVIDS imagery from Baghdad documented an Apache prepared to head into battle armed with AGM-114K2A and AGM-114N Hellfire missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

    Sources: DVIDS Hellfire OIF Image

  4. Apache Hellfire engagement recorded in Iraq

    A DVIDS video entry from Iraq described Apache helicopters monitoring insurgents placing an IED and engaging the IED with a Hellfire missile.

    Sources: DVIDS Apache Gun Camera

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

Lockheed Martin directly tied the M299 launcher to Iraq combat use in a 2005 AH-64D Apache Longbow release. The company said it supplied the M299 launcher to the U.S. Army for Apache aircraft and that Apache had carried and fired HELLFIRE II and Longbow HELLFIRE missiles in Iraq.

The same release described the M299 as a combat-proven all-digital launcher integrated with the AH-64D. A Defense Security Cooperation Agency notice later described the M299 Longbow Hellfire Launcher as the quad-rail launcher designed for the AH-64D Apache Longbow and able to carry and launch AGM-114 missiles.

Sources: Lockheed Martin JCM Apache Flight, Federal Register M299 Launcher

Timeline

The available public record does not isolate a first M299 launcher firing date in Iraq. It does show the supporting chain: AH-64D Longbow Apaches were in the combat theater during the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the M299 was the Army Apache launcher for Hellfire-class missiles, and later official Iraq media records show Apache Hellfire carriage and firing during the same conflict.

DOT&E reported in its FY2004 annual report that the Army deployed 50 AH-64A Apaches and 128 AH-64D Longbow Apaches to Afghanistan and Iraq during the previous year, where both types conducted combat missions in harsh desert conditions. In July 2007, a DVIDS image from Baghdad showed an Apache prepared to head into battle armed with AGM-114K2A and AGM-114N Hellfire missiles, and in March 2008 a DVIDS video entry from Iraq described Apaches engaging an IED with a Hellfire missile.

Sources: DOT&E FY2004 AH-64D, DVIDS Hellfire OIF Image, DVIDS Apache Gun Camera

Operational role

In Iraq, the M299's documented role was not as a standalone weapon but as the reusable launcher and aircraft interface for Apache-fired Hellfire missiles. The launcher carried multiple AGM-114 missiles, provided the electrical and data interface between the helicopter and missile, and allowed the Apache crew to employ HELLFIRE II and Longbow HELLFIRE weapons against ground targets.

The sourced record places the M299 on the United States and coalition side through U.S. Army Apache operations. It supports fire-support and anti-armor categorization because the launcher enabled Apache Hellfire employment, while the public sources reviewed here do not document Iraqi government or insurgent use of the M299.

Sources: Lockheed Martin JCM Apache Flight, Army JAMS Hellfire Launcher, Federal Register M299 Launcher

Images

Conflict Context

Apache helicopter in Baghdad armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles during Operation Iraqi Freedom
An Apache helicopter in Baghdad, Iraq, armed with AGM-114K2A and AGM-114N Hellfire missiles on July 22, 2007.

Sources: DVIDS Hellfire OIF Image

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Sources