AGM-86 ALCM

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (June 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

AGM-86
An AGM-86C in flight
Type	Air-to-ground strategic cruise missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	AGM-86B: 1982–present AGM-86C/D: retired
Used by	United States Air Force
Production history
Designed	1974
Manufacturer	Boeing Integrated Defense Systems
Unit cost	$1 million (AGM-86B) additional $160,000 conversion cost for AGM-86C; additional $896,000 conversion cost for AGM-86D[1]
Produced	1980
No. built	1,715 (AGM-86B), 239 (AGM-86C), 50 (AGM-86D)[1]
Variants	AGM-86B (1982), AGM-86C (1991), AGM-86D (2001)
Specifications
Mass	3,150 pounds (1,430 kg)
Length	20 ft. 9 in. (6.3 m)
Diameter	24.5 inches (620 mm)[1]
Wingspan	12 feet (3.7 m)
Warhead	W80 thermonuclear weapon (AGM-86B), 5 or 150 kilotons[2] Conventional warhead (AGM-86C) AUP warhead (AGM-86D)
Warhead weight	908kg (AGM-86C Block 0) 1362kg (AGM-86C Block 1) 1,200 lb (540 kg) class advanced unitary penetrating warhead (AGM-86D)[1]
Engine	Williams International F107-WR-101 turbofan engine 600 lbf (2.7 kN) thrust
Operational range	AGM-86B: 1,500+ mi (2,400+ km) AGM-86C: classified (nominal 680 miles, 1,100 km)
Maximum speed	AGM-86B: 550 mph (890 km/h, Mach 0.73) AGM 86C: classified (nominal high subsonic)
Guidance system	AGM-86B: Litton inertial navigation system element with TERCOM updates AGM 86C: Litton INS element integrated with multi-channel onboard GPS
Launch platform	Boeing B-52H Stratofortress[1]

The AGM-86 ALCM is an American subsonic air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) built by Boeing and operated by the United States Air Force. This missile was developed to increase the effectiveness and survivability of the Boeing B-52G and B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers, allowing the aircraft to deliver its payload from a great distance. The missile dilutes an enemy's forces ability to respond and complicates air defense of its territory.^[1]

The concept started as a long-range drone aircraft that would act as a decoy, distracting Soviet air defenses from the bombers. As new lightweight nuclear weapons emerged in the 1960s, the design was modified with the intent of attacking missile and radar sites at the end of its flight. Further development extended its range so much that it emerged as a weapon allowing the B-52s to launch their attacks while still well outside Soviet airspace, saturating their defenses with hundreds of tiny, low-flying targets that were extremely difficult to see on radar.

Entering service in 1982 as part of the renewed American arms buildup during the Late Cold War, the ALCM so improved the capabilities of the US bomber force that the Soviets developed new technologies to counter the weapon. Among these were airborne early warning aircraft and new weapons like the MiG-31 and Tor missile system specifically to shoot down the AGM-86.^[3] The Air Force responded with the development of the AGM-129 ACM, which included stealth capabilities. The ending of the Cold War led to cutbacks in this program, and its expensive maintenance eventually resulted in it being abandoned in favor of life extensions to the original ALCM.

Examples of the AGM-86A and AGM-86B are on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air and Space Museum, near Washington, D.C.^[4]