Editing ALARM (section)

== History ==
The [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] received offers for a new anti-radiation missile in late 1982; [[BAe Dynamics|British Aerospace Dynamics]] offered ALARM while [[Texas Instruments]] teamed with [[Lucas Aerospace]] offered its [[AGM-88 HARM|HARM]] missile.<ref name="ftbidding">{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom|title=Thatcher to resolve anti-radar missile row|work=Financial Times|date=1983-05-16}}</ref> Defence Secretary [[Michael Heseltine]] announced the selection of ALARM on 29 July 1983. The initial order was 750 missiles for the RAF.<ref>{{cite news |title=British Select Alarm Missile Over HARM |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=1983-07-08}}</ref> The selection process was controversial; the battle between the contractors was bitter, the Ministry of Defence favoured ALARM to retain UK industrial capabilities while the Treasury favoured the cheaper and proven HARM.<ref name="ftbidding"/><ref>{{cite news |first=Bridget |last=Bloom |title=Missile manufacturers bid for UK navy deal |work=Financial Times |date=1983-07-30}}</ref>

In early 1986, BAe recognised that [[Royal Ordnance]] was having difficulties delivering the missile's motor, named Nuthatch, and began to consider alternatives. Royal Ordnance's solution to the required burn-loiter-burn characteristic of the engine was complex.<ref>{{cite news |first=David |last=Buchan |title=BAe Cancels Missile Deal With Royal Ordnance |work=[[Financial Times]] |date=20 July 1987}}</ref> In July 1987, BAe, by then the owner of Royal Ordnance, replaced the Nuthatch motor with a lower risk motor designed by [[Bayern-Chemie]].<ref>{{cite news |title=British Aerospace Delays Missile Program |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |publisher=McGraw-Hill |date=21 September 1987}}</ref> BAe's [[Pound sterling|£]]200 million contract for the missile was renegotiated with the price increased to £400 million and delivery pushed back from 1988 to 1990.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Evans |title=Missile bill for RAF up £150 million |work=The Times |publisher=Times Newspapers |date=18 March 1988}}</ref> The radar seeker was made by Marconi Space and Defence Systems ([[General Electric Company|GEC]]) at [[Stanmore]].<ref>[https://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1990/1990%20-%202175.PDF Flight International 1990]</ref>

The ALARM missile was officially retired by the UK at the end of 2013,<ref name=janes/> but continued to be used by the Saudis.<ref>[http://www.defensenews.com/articles/uk-supplied-precision-weapons-prove-popular-in-saudi-led-yemen-campaign UK-Supplied Precision Weapons Prove Popular in Saudi-Led Yemen Campaign] - Defensenews.com, 17 October 2016</ref>