Hound Dog Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Intermediate range cruise missile. IOC: 1961. Family:

First American air-launched cruise missile to become operational. Based on Navaho technology.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

North American GAM-77/AGM-28 Hound Dog

The Hound Dog was the first fully operational standoff attack missile deployed by U.S. strategic bombers.

In 1956, the USAF decided that its new B-52 Stratofortress bombers should have the option to use nuclear armed long-range standoff missiles to avoid direct overflight of heavily defended targets. By early 1957, the project was known as Weapon System 131B. The design competition was won by North American, and in October 1957, the designation GAM-77 was allocated to the WS-131B missile. The first powered flight of an XGAM-77 Hound Dog prototype occurred in April 1959, and the first fully guided flight succeeded in August in August 1959. The GAM-77 Hound Dog production missile was declared operational with SAC in December 1959. The quick development of the GAM-77 was made possible by the use of existing technology and components. The canard/delta layout of the airframe was proven by North American's own X-10 and XSM-64 Navaho vehicles, and the Pratt & Whitney J52 engine and W-28 thermonuclear warhead were also no new developments.

The GAM-77 was a turbo-jet powered air-launched cruise missile deployed by B-52G/H Stratofortress bombers, which could carry two missiles on underwing pylons. It used an inertial guidance system, whose data was continuously updated until immediately before launch by Kollsman KS-120 astro-trackers mounted in the launch pylons. The missile's navigation system could even be used by the B-52 crew, should the bomber's own system fail. The Hound Dog could fly high- and low-level missions, including pre-programmed changes in course and altitude. Maximum range for pure high-altitude flights was about 1100 km (700 miles).

The initial operational tests exposed some shortcomings, which led to the development of the improved GAM-77A version. In this version, the KS-120 astro-trackers were replaced by improved Kollsman KS-140 units, which were located in the missile. The GAM-77A also featured a radar altimeter to improve low-level performance, and a slightly larger fuel tank. The first XGAM-77A flew in June 1961, and the GAM-77A became operational in September that year.

In June 1963, the GAM-77 and GAM-77A were redesignated as AGM-28A and AGM-28B, respectively.

It was originally planned to replace Hound Dog in the mid-1960s by the AGM-48 Skybolt ALBM (Air-Launched Ballistic Missile), but the latter was cancelled in 1962. Therefore the AGM-28 remained in service until the 1970s, much longer than anticipated. Tests occurred with a TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) guidance system in 1971, and an anti-radiation seeker head in 1973. These features were not incorporated in any operational Hound Dogs, although the designation AGM-28C was reportedly reserved for a TERCOM-equipped Hound Dog. Beginning in 1972 the Hound Dog was replaced by the AGM-69 SRAM, and in 1976 the last AGM-28 was retired from USAF service. Between 1959 and 1963, North American had built more than 700 Hound Dog missiles, with a peak deployment level of about 600 in 1963.

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

Data for AGM-28B:

[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
[3] Dennis R. Jenkins, Brian Rogers: "Boeing B-52G/H Stratofortress", Aerofax, 1990

Manufacturer: North American. Launches: 77. Failures: 3. Success Rate: 96.10%. First Launch Date: 1959-04-23. Last Launch Date: 1965-08-30. Launch data is: incomplete. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). Total Mass: 4,600 kg (10,100 lb). Core Diameter: 0.70 m (2.29 ft). Total Length: 13.00 m (42.00 ft). Version:

AGM-28A. Department of Defence Designation: AGM-28A. Popular Name: Hound Dog. Alternate Designation: GAM-77.

Version:

AGM-28B. IOC: 1961. Department of Defence Designation: AGM-28B. Popular Name: Hound Dog. Alternate Designation: GAM-77A.

Liftoff Thrust: 33.300 kN (7,486 lbf). Total Mass: 4,601 kg (10,143 lb). Core Diameter: 0.73 m (2.39 ft). Total Length: 12.96 m (42.51 ft). Span: 2.87 m (9.41 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,300 kg (2,800 lb). Maximum range: 1,102 km (684 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead: W28. Standard warhead yield: 1,000 KT. Boost Propulsion: Turbojet. Guidance: Inertial. Maximum speed: 1,770 kph (1,090 mph). Development Cost $: 360.000 million. in: 1960 average dollars. Recurring Price $: 0.740 million. Total Number Built: 722. Total Development Built: 47. Total Production Built: 675. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 0.609 million. in: 1960 unit dollars.

1959 April 23 - Grand Turk Island DZ -. Hound Dog 001 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi). First Hound Dog test launch.

1959 June 9 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 003 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1959 August 21 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 002 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1959 October 30 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 005 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1959 December 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 007 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1959 December 23 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 008 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 February 25 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 011 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 February 29 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 2792 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 February 29 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 2796 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 March 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 009 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 March 24 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 012 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 April 12 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 April 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 014 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 May 17 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 015 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 May 24 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 017 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 June 9 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 018 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 June 23 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 023 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 August 1 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 024 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 August 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 026 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 October 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 027 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 October 25 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 4 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 November 2 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 8 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 November 15 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 9 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1960 December 21 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 031 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 February 9 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 030 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 February 10 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 11 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 February 28 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 12 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 March 10 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 032 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 March 24 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 5 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 5 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 033 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 12 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 034 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 25 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 035 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 27 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 14 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 April 27 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 13 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 May 19 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 025 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 May 22 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 036 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 July 7 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 038 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 September 1 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 037 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 September 15 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 020 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 October 3 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 029 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 October 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 6 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 October 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog SAC 15 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 November 1 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 044 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1961 December 21 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 2130 Test mission Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 January 9 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-2 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 January 23 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 2131 Operational test Agency: USAF. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 January 29 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-4 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 January 30 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-5 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 February 6 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-7 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 February 12 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-1 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 May 14 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-8 FAILURE: Failure. Test mission Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 May 15 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-9 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 May 21 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-12 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 June 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-16 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 June 26 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-18 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 August 14 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-3 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 October 17 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-10 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1962 December 17 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 2202 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 January 15 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL-232 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 February 5 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL 60-2211 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 February 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL 61-2331 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 February 18 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL 61-2332 Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 June 3 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 June 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL Operational test Agency: USAF SAC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1963 October 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog CEL 62-149 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 July 8 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 59-2839 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 July 8 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 59-2827 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 July 29 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 61-221 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 August 5 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 62-0183 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 August 5 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 62-0188 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 August 12 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 62-0137 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 August 12 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 62-0131 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 September 2 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 612-155 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 September 11 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 2181 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1964 September 23 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 602-135 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 August 26 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 60-2185 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).

1965 August 30 - North Atlantic Drop Zone -. Hound Dog 60-2185 Operational test Agency: SAC/APGC. Apogee: 20 km (12 mi).