The missile worked with the APR-47 radar attack and warning system on the aircraft. The missile is operationally deployed throughout the Air Force and in full production as a joint U.S. Air Force-U.S. Navy project. Shrike and AGM-78 Standard programmes. Studies started in 1972 and in 1974. The missile is 4.17 m long, has a body diameter of 254 mm, a wingspan of 1.13 m, and weight of 361 kg.
Guidance is by a broadband digital passive radar seeker with a fixed antenna.
The 66 kg HE fragmentation warhead has a laser proximity fuze, which determines the detonation of the warhead depending on the final trajectory characteristics. The HARM can be programmed by the launch aircraft to attack selected targets, or it can be launched at longer range to acquire a transmitter later in flight. Incoming aircraft can launch these missiles outside the reach of Triple A and most SAMs. Descending slowly the missile passively looks for enemy radar emissions. This system is nice since the strike planes can concentrate more on their attack runs rather than SAM suppresion.