AGM-86

The Boeing AGM-86B and AGM-86C ALCM are sub-sonic air-launched cruise missiles (ALCMs) operated by the United States Air Force. The missiles were developed to increase the effectiveness and survivability of Boeing B-52H bombers. In combination, they dilute an enemy's forces and complicate defense of its territory. The ALCM is being replaced in the nuclear role by the AGM-129 ACM, with most ALCM's being converted to carry conventional warheads.

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The small, winged AGM-86B/C missile is powered by a turbofan jet engine that propels it at sustained subsonic speeds and can be launched from both high and low altitudes. After launch, the missile's folded wings, tail surfaces and engine inlet deploy. The nuclear AGM-86B is then able to fly complicated routes to a target through use of a terrain contour-matching guidance system. The conventionally armed AGM-86C uses an onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) coupled with its inertial navigation system (INS) to fly. This allows the missile to guide itself to the target with pinpoint accuracy.

Boeing: The Boeing Company is the leading American aircraft and aerospace manufacturer, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with its largest production facilities in Everett, Washington, near Seattle, Washington. It is also the second-largest defense contractor in the world http://www.defensenews.com/cont...

Cruise missile: A cruise missile is a guided missile which uses a lifting wing and most often a jet propulsion system to allow sustained flight. Cruise missiles are, in essence, unmanned aircraft. They are generally designed to carry a large conventional or nuclear warhead many hundreds of miles with excellent ac...

United States Air Force: The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aviation branch of the United States armed forces. The mission of the USAF is "to defend the United States and protect its interests through air and space power". It was created as a separate branch on September 18, 1947....

AGM-86 related Images and Photos (experimental)

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