Falcon AIM-47A Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Cancelled 1965 for YF-12. Semi-active / active-radarguided active-radarguided.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Hughes GAR-9/AIM-47 Falcon

In 1958, Hughes started to develop the AN/ASG-18 fire-control system (FCS) for the forthcoming North American F-108 Rapier long-range Mach 3+ interceptor. The missile component of the system was to be a large derivative of the AIM-4 Falcon missile family, designated GAR-9, which was to have a range of more than 160 km (100 miles). The large radar of the AN/ASG-18 was to provide target illumination for the semi-active radar mid-course guidance. For terminal homing, the GAR-9 was equipped with an infrared seeker. The GAR-9 was powered by a storable liquid-fuel rocket motor, and for some time, a low-yield nuclear W-42 warhead was envisioned, but eventually a conventional HE warhead was used.

When the F-108 was cancelled in 1959, the USAF looked for a replacement and found the Lockheed A-12 "Blackbird" reconnaissance plane. It was decided to developed an interceptor derivative, designated YF-12A, which would use the AN/ASG-18 FCS and the GAR-9 missile. In 1963 the XGAR-9 prototype missile was redesignated XAIM-47A, and in the same year, flight tests of the YF-12A and the XAIM-47A began. During the test program, several successful long-range intercepts of target drones were performed. In 1966 the planned F-12B production interceptor was cancelled, which also meant the cancellation of the AIM-47A production missile. About 80 XAIM-47A's had been built, and some of the technology was used by Hughes to develop the AIM-54 Phoenix long-range air-to-air missile for the U.S. Navy.

An air-to-ground derivative of the AIM-47 was briefly evaluated as the XAGM-76A.

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

Data for XAIM-47A:

[1] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979
[2] Paul F. Crickmore: "Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird", Osprey Publishing Ltd, 1986

Manufacturer: Hughes. Total Mass: 360 kg (790 lb). Core Diameter: 0.34 m (1.11 ft). Total Length: 3.20 m (10.40 ft). Span: 0.85 m (2.78 ft). Maximum range: 185 km (114 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Semi-Active Radar + Infrared Homing. Maximum speed: 6,770 kph (4,200 mph).