AGM-76 Falcon
Encyclopedia
The AGM-76 Falcon is an air-to-surface missile developed by the United States of America.
air-to-air missile
, in much the same way that the AGM-87 Focus
was developed from the AIM-9 Sidewinder
. It was planned to use the AGM-76 to equip the Mach 3 capable North American F-108
fighter. Although the F-108 was ultimately cancelled the AN/ASG-18 fire-control system was transferred to the Lockheed YF-12
, allowing that aircraft to handle the AIM-47 and AGM-76. Twenty-two XAGM-76A prototype missiles were built; ten of these were test fired from YF-12A prototypes.
Guidance for the missile was provided by the AN/ASG-18 Fire-Control System, which was modified to allow it to operate in the air to ground role. The AGM-76 had a range in excess of 160 kilometres (99.4 mi). The 250 kiloton thermonuclear warhead would normally be detonated in an air burst above the target.
The test firings were generally successful, and the USAF planned to acquire the production missiles for the F-12B in order to allow it to perform in the high speed nuclear strike mission. When the F-12B was cancelled, the AGM-76 program was also halted.
cancelled the AGM-76 prior to service entry.
Overview
The AGM-76 was developed as a ground attack version of the AIM-47 FalconAIM-47 Falcon
The Hughes AIM-47 Falcon, originally GAR-9, was a very long-range high-performance air-to-air missile that shared the basic design of the earlier AIM-4 Falcon. It was developed in 1958 along with the new Hughes AN/ASG-18 radar fire-control system intended to arm the Mach 3 XF-108 Rapier interceptor...
air-to-air missile
Air-to-air missile
An air-to-air missile is a missile fired from an aircraft for the purpose of destroying another aircraft. AAMs are typically powered by one or more rocket motors, usually solid fuelled but sometimes liquid fuelled...
, in much the same way that the AGM-87 Focus
AGM-87 Focus
-Overview:The missile was a development of the AIM-9B Sidewinder air-to-air missile, intended for use against ground targets. Development took place at the China Lake Naval Weapons Center during the late 1960s. The infrared guidance method of the Sidewinder was retained, as the missile was to be...
was developed from the AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
. It was planned to use the AGM-76 to equip the Mach 3 capable North American F-108
XF-108 Rapier
The North American XF-108 Rapier was a proposed long-range, high-speed interceptor aircraft designed by North American Aviation. Initiated to defend the United States from supersonic Soviet bombers, the program, initially called NA-257, was cancelled in 1959 due to a shortage of funds and the...
fighter. Although the F-108 was ultimately cancelled the AN/ASG-18 fire-control system was transferred to the Lockheed YF-12
Lockheed YF-12
The Lockheed YF-12 was an American prototype interceptor aircraft, which the United States Air Force evaluated as a development of the highly-secret Lockheed A-12 that also spawned the SR-71 Blackbird.-Design and development:...
, allowing that aircraft to handle the AIM-47 and AGM-76. Twenty-two XAGM-76A prototype missiles were built; ten of these were test fired from YF-12A prototypes.
Guidance for the missile was provided by the AN/ASG-18 Fire-Control System, which was modified to allow it to operate in the air to ground role. The AGM-76 had a range in excess of 160 kilometres (99.4 mi). The 250 kiloton thermonuclear warhead would normally be detonated in an air burst above the target.
The test firings were generally successful, and the USAF planned to acquire the production missiles for the F-12B in order to allow it to perform in the high speed nuclear strike mission. When the F-12B was cancelled, the AGM-76 program was also halted.
Specifications
- Length : 3.20 m (10 feet 6 in)
- Wingspan : 0.838 m (2 feet 9 in)
- Diameter : 0.335 m (1 foot 1.2 in)
- Speed : Mach 4+ (4,240 km/h, 2,630 mph)
- Range : 160 km+ (100 miles+)
- Warhead : 250 kt thermonuclear
Operators
: The United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
cancelled the AGM-76 prior to service entry.