Falcon AIM-26 Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Hughes GAR-11/AIM-26 Falcon

The AIM-26 Falcon was the only guided nuclear-armed air-to-air missile ever deployed by the USAF. Development of a nuclear-armed derivative of the AIM-4 Falcon family was first planned in 1956, when Hughes was contracted to develop the XGAR-5 and XGAR-6 missiles. These missiles were intended to be significantly larger than the standard Falcon (length/diameter increased from 2.0m/0.16m (80 in/6.4 in) to about 3.5m/0.30m (140 in/ 12in)), and were to be used against high and fast-flying missiles and bombers. The two variants were identical, except for the guidance method - semi-active radar homing for the XGAR-5, and infrared homing for the XGAR-6. However, development was cancelled early in the design phase.

Development of a nuclear-armed Falcon derivative started again in 1959, when it was decided that USAF interceptors needed a head-on kill capability against enemy bombers. This dictated radar homing (IR seekers of the day could only home on hot exhaust), but this was considered too inaccurate for a conventionally armed missile. Therefore a low-yield W-54 (0.25 kT) nuclear warhead was planned for the missile, which was designated as GAR-11.

The GAR-11 was slightly larger, and significantly heavier than the original Falcon. Testing of the XGAR-11 proceded without problems during 1960, and in 1961, the GAR-11 became operational with F-102 interceptors. The nuclear warhead, and the inherent all-weather capability of the SARH guidance made the GAR-11 the most powerful air-to-air missile ever deployed. Detonation of the warhead was triggered by a radar proximity fuze.

However, the nuclear warhead also had a major disadvantage - the missile could not be used against low-flying aircraft over friendly territory. Therefore the conventionally armed GAR-11A was developed in parallel. The GAR-11A was relatively little used by the USAF, but was exported to Sweden (and license-built there) as RB-27.

In 1963, the GAR-11 Falcon missiles were redesignated in the AIM-26 series. The XGAR-11, GAR-11, and GAR-11A became the XAIM-26A, AIM-26A, and AIM-26B, respectively.

Improvements in radar-homing in the late 1960's made the AIM-7 Sparrow missile effective in frontal attacks. This fact, together with the AIM-26A's unsuitability against low-level threats, led to a quick phase-out, and by 1971 the AIM-26A was no longer in service. The Swedish RB-27 (AIM-26B) served until the early 1980's. In total, about 4000 AIM-26 missiles of both variants were produced.

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for GAR-11 (AIM-26A):

[1] James N. Gibson: "Nuclear Weapons of the United States", Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1996
[2] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979

Manufacturer: Hughes.

Manufacturer: Hughes. Liftoff Thrust: 26.400 kN (5,935 lbf). Total Mass: 92 kg (202 lb). Core Diameter: 0.28 m (0.91 ft). Total Length: 2.13 m (6.98 ft). Span: 0.61 m (2.00 ft). Maximum range: 8.10 km (5.00 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead: W54. Standard warhead yield: 0.25 KT. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Semi-Active Radar Homing. Maximum speed: 2,260 kph (1,400 mph). Total Number Built: 1900.

High-explosive warhead.

Manufacturer: Hughes. Liftoff Thrust: 26.400 kN (5,935 lbf). Total Mass: 119 kg (262 lb). Core Diameter: 0.27 m (0.88 ft). Total Length: 2.07 m (6.79 ft). Span: 0.61 m (2.00 ft). Maximum range: 9.70 km (6.00 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Semi-Active Radar Homing. Maximum speed: 2,260 kph (1,400 mph). Total Number Built: 2000.