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AGM-76 Falcon

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AGM-76 Falcon
Aerodynamic test model of the AGM-76A on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
TypeAnti-radiation missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
Used byUnited States Air Force
Production history
Designed1966
ManufacturerHughes Aerospace
Specifications
Mass951 pounds (431 kg)
Length13 feet 4 inches (4.06 m)
Diameter13.5 inches (340 mm)
Warheadhigh explosive
Warhead weight250 pounds (110 kg)

EngineLockheed XSR13-LP-1
PropellantSolid fuel
Maximum speed Mach 4
Guidance
system
Passive radar homing
Launch
platform
F-4D, A-6B, F-105F

The AGM-76 Falcon was an air-to-surface anti-radiation missile developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. Intended as a conversion using off-the-shelf parts, it did not go into operational service.

Overview

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During 1966, the United States Air Force began development of a heavy anti-radiation missile for use against surface-to-air missile radars in Vietnam. Using existing airframes from the cancelled AIM-47 Falcon heavy air-to-air missile project combined with the seeker head of the AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile, the AGM-76A was fitted with a 250 pounds (110 kg) warhead of the type used in the Mark 81 bomb. Test-firings of AGM-76As were conducted from McDonnell F-4D Phantom II, Republic F-105F Thunderchief, and US Navy Grumman A-6B Intruder aircraft, however the missile was not put into production, the AGM-45 and AGM-78 Standard ARM becoming the standard anti-radiation missiles used by the United States.[1]

Operators

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References

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  1. ^ Parsch, Andreas (19 January 2008). "Hughes AGM-76 Falcon". Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles. Designation-Systems. Retrieved 2017-11-25.