The Penguin, conceived in the 1960's was the West's first dedicated fire and forget anti-ship missile. Originally the system was developed for the Royal Norwegian Navy as a ship based fleet defence weapon against what was then a mighty Soviet navy.

Kongsberg Penguin Mk-II Mod-7

The first version of the weapon entered development in 1962 with Penguin Mk-I being deployed in 1972 by both the Norwegian and Greek navies. In 1980 an upgraded system was deployed classified as Penguin Mk-II subsequently deployed by the Norwegian, Greek and Swedish navies. This system introduced an upgraded propulsion unit featuring a dual-burn boost/sustainer solid rocket giving a near supersonic cruise velocity. Additional upgrades included an improved seeker increasing target discrimination and acquisition capabilities. Perhaps more importantly though was the ability to perform dog-leg manoeuvres. This allows a pre-planned flight path to be entered causing the missile to fly via waypoints to its target rather than a simple straight to target trajectory (although this too is available). Flight control of the missile (all of its variants) is provided by front mounted canards with rear fins providing general flight surfaces.

The Mk-II system was further altered with the addition of folding wings to meet a United States Navy requirement to enable deployment on its Sikorsky LAMPS Mk III, SH-60B helicopters, the system being classed as Penguin Mk-II Mod-7 (or AGM-119B in U.S. designation). This variant has also been deployed by the Australian navy for use on its Seasprite helicopters operated from the ANZAC class frigates. The latest variant, Penguin Mk-III (AGM-119A) is primarily designed as a fixed wing launched weapon and is operationally deployed on Norwegian F-16's (and will be cleared for Eurofighter Typhoon carriage if Norway selects the platform). However it is also cleared for use on both helicopters and surface based vessels. This variant introduces a further extension to the range using a new composite grain solid propellant, smaller wings (fitted with ailerons) and increased length.

The Penguin features a fully autonomous fire and forget capability. Following launch (either from surface, helicopter or fixed wing aircraft) the weapon drops to low altitude using either a pulsed laser (Penguin Mk-II) or a radar altimeter (Penguin Mk-III) to provide altitude information. A highly accurate on-board Inertial Navigation System is used to provide for mid-course guidance. The system provides for either a direct to target flight path or a pre-programmed waypoint course enabling obstacles (both man made and natural) to be negotiated. During the final stages of flight the missile switches to its passive infra red seeker which begins searching for a target meeting a predetermined set of criteria. Once a suitable target has been acquired the seeker uses an imaging technique to define a shape (rather than a simple hot spot) against the background. During the final moments the missile aims for a water line position where its semi-armour piercing warhead passes through the ships hull exploding soon after.

Following the bankruptcy of Kongsberg in the the early 1990's Penguin's future was put at risk. However the company was saved and a follow-on to the weapon, provisionally titled Penguin Mk-IV (although this is highly unlikely to be the final designation) began feasibility studies in 1991.

Please note that the data given below applies to the Penguin Mk-III.

* : Note that all ranges quoted are based on mean figures from various data sources. Actual achievable range will depend on a great number of factors and may be no where near those quoted.