MBDA PGM 500 and PGM 2000

The PGM 500 and PGM 2000 are rocket-boosted, air-launched guided bombs for stand-off attack. The programme began in 1984 when the American company International Signal and Control started work for the United Arab Emirates, and passed through Ferranti and GEC-Marconi to Alenia Marconi Systems and now MBDA. The numbers give the warhead weight in pounds, 500 lb (227 kg) and 2,000 lb (909 kg). Each can carry a laser, television or imaging infra-red seeker, and a solid-fuel rocket motor, or two on the larger weapon, gives a range of about 15 kilometres at low level and 50 kilometres from altitude. Production of the laser and television versions began in 1990 and they entered service with the United Arab Emirates Air Force in 1992, where the PGM 500 is known as the Hakim. Proposed derivatives named Lancelot, Pegasus and Centaur were not taken up.