Design and Development

The ARHM-14 Forger is an advanced loitering munition developed by SMC Aerospace for the Parshain Air Force. The system is designed to be both flexible and reliable, and can be launched from a number of aircraft and ground launchers. Powered by a 150hp Rotax, the Forger can reach speeds of up to 430 mph and has a maximum endurance of 5.8 hours.

The ARHM-14 borrows the targeting systems of the ARHM-12 Finback, with the electronics simplified for increased reliability. This permits the Forger to be operated by small fighter detachments in the field with a minimum of maintenance equipment.

Should the enemy radar be switched off during the final attack stage the Forger will still strike its target as the drone's seeker can "remember" the location of the signal source. The drone is able to fly autonomously to the general target area and wait for a radar site to begin transmission before striking, permitting an effective response to "shoot-and-scoot" mobile radar sites.

The drone is also able to strike other targets such as troop concentrations and unarmoured vehicles thanks to its GPS waypoint guidance. This system is usually used to guide the Forger onto a suspected radar site, but can be used to provide pinpoint guidance onto more general targets, with the 50kg warhead detonating on contact.

The ARHM-14 also has a useful anti-ship capability, with a maximum range of forty miles in this role. In this mode the weapon uses its own built-in radar seeker, with a data-link to its launch aircraft for mid-flight updates. Although useful against swarming attack craft, the small warhead makes the Forger a poor choice of anti-ship missile against larger warships.

Two Forgers can be carried on a single F-16 and up to five on an F-15-sized aircraft. Each system costs $345,000 USD.

Instructions

1. Lock on to target.
2. Fire the missile.
3. Wait two seconds before pressing AG1.
4. BANG!
   Use air spawn when using the stock P-51 as the launch aircraft.