Arming Americas Interceptors:

The Hughes Falcon Missile Family

Sean OConnor
Cover photo: F-102A launching three early GAR-1 Falcon AAMs (USAF via Robert Sullivan)
Many thanks are due to a host of individuals who have provided data and photographs used
within this text. Without their assistance, this effort would not have been possible. Any errors
are those of the author alone and do not reflect on the quality of material or assistance provided
by the following individuals:
-Dennis R. Jenkins, for providing photographs of the early Falcon test articles and a host of
historical publications detailing early AAM development
-The F-106 Delta Dart forum community for providing a wealth of historical data regarding
Falcon use on the Six
-Paul Martell-Mead and the Secret Projects forum community, for helping to piece together
some of the holes in the story
-Ryan Crierie, for providing online access to various USAF documents detailing the Falcon
missile variants
-Robert Sullivan, for graciously allowing the use of many historical photographs in his collection
-Fred Willemsen, for graciously allowing the use of his USAFE F-4E photograph

Thanks to Carlo Kopp of Air Power Australia for providing editorial advice and acting as a
sounding board throughout the writing process, and to Paul Martell-Mead, Antonio Mora, and
Steve Pace for providing comments on an early draft

All photographs and illustrations either are the property of the author or used with express
permission, with the following explanations:
-Use of photographs credited to the USAF Museum, Saab AB, and the Swiss Air Force is in
accordance with the respective organizations published guidelines regarding photograph use
-Illustrations credited to the USAF via a contributor originate from declassified and therefore
public domain materials
-Photographs credited to Wikimedia are included as their owners explicitly classify them as
public domain

Arming Americas Interceptors: The Hughes Falcon Missile Family. Sean OConnor, 2011.

Contents

I. Introduction 1

II. Early AAM Efforts 2

III. The First Falcons 8

IV. Improved Falcons 14

V. Super Falcons 20

VI. Nuclear Falcons 26

VII. Export Falcons 29

VIII. The Ultimate Falcon 33

IX. Employing the Falcon 41

X. Falcons at War 49

XI. Conclusion 56

A1. Data 57

A2. Users 62

A3. Carrier Aircraft 64

A4. Gallery 73

A5. References 78

1
I. Introduction
The development of the air-to-air missile has seen a long and often tumultuous history.
From its first serious beginnings during World War II to the advanced, ramjet-powered weapons
undergoing testing today, the capability and effectiveness of the AAM has increased
exponentially since the first pioneering efforts. During the Cold War, the AAM played a key role
in the defense of North America from the threat of Soviet bombers. Supersonic interceptors
entered and exited USAF service at various times, but all shared one common element: the
Falcon missile. Originally intended as a bomber-carried AAM for defense against fighter attack,
the various Falcon missile variants enjoyed a service career spanning nearly 50 years, leaving
behind a legacy often forgotten by aviation history.

An F-102A launches three GAR-1 Falcon missiles (USAF via Robert Sullivan)
2
II. Early AAM Efforts
WWII Genesis
The devastating effect of airpower demonstrated in World War II led to the initiation of
development programs for four AAMs by 1943. The goal of these early AAM programs was
interception of bombers; missile designs did not yet incorporate the necessary maneuverability
to make them effective anti-fighter weapons. In Germany, the Henschel Flugzeugwerke Hs.298
and Ruhrstahl X-4 both underwent firing trials by the end of 1944, but neither weapon served in
combat. England examined the Artemis missile project in the 1943-1944 timeframe.

Luftwaffe X-4 AAM on display at the USAF Museum (Sean OConnor)
The US Navy began developing the Gorgon AAM in July of 1943. Cdr. D. S. Fahrney
first suggested the use of unpiloted aircraft for various roles, including bomber interception, in
1937. The USN attempted to begin development in 1940, but available propulsion systems
were not adequate. By 1943, rocket technology had matured to the point where it represented a
viable propulsion option, and Gorgon was reborn. Gorgon survived the war as an AAM concept,
but found itself relegated to R&D status in the middle of 1946 as more advanced designs were
on the drawing board.
A fifth AAM program appeared in January of 1944. The USAAF tasked Hughes with
developing a subsonic missile capable of intercepting bombers under project MX-570. The
resultant missile, designated JB-3 and referred to by Hughes as the Tiamat, conducted its first
test launch on 6 August 1945, the same day that Col. Paul Tibbets flew the B-29 Enola Gay to
3
Hiroshima. JB-3 was a large weapon for the time, weighing 625 pounds with a 100-pound
warhead. The weapon featured a range of up to nine miles, and employed an early form of
SARH guidance. The JB-3 proved to be unsatisfactory in testing, cancellation coming in
September of 1946.

A JB-3 AAM underneath the wing of an A-26 Invader (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
While none of the World War II-era programs survived to see operational service, they
did provide industry with a technological starting point to develop the first operational AAMs.
Work on the JB-3 established Hughes as one of the frontrunners in the AAM development circle,
which would serve the company well in the post-war years.
Post-War Efforts
The first significant Western AAM program to emerge in the post-war years had its origins
in one of the USNs last major World War II development programs, Project Bumblebee.
Because of the success of Japanese kamikaze attacks on the fleet, the USN initiated Project
Bumblebee to develop a series of SAM systems. In November of 1945, the USN contracted
with MIT to develop the AAM-N-5 Meteor missile as a backstop against the failure of Project
Bumblebee. The contract called for the development of both an AAM and a SAM, although only
the AAM reached the hardware stage. Meteor began flight trials in July of 1948. While the USN
cancelled the program in 1953 in favor of more advanced designs, a recurring theme in early
AAM development, it stands as the first AAM ever designed for use by carrier-based aircraft.
4
The USNs second major post-war AAM program was the AAM-N-2 Sparrow I. Initially,
the USN contracted with Sperry in 1946 to develop a beam-riding guidance system for rockets,
converting them into crude AAMs. This program morphed into a new AAM with the
incorporation of an airframe designed by Douglas capable of containing a larger rocket motor
and the necessary guidance equipment. Sparrow I had a protracted development period, with
the first intercept occurring in December of 1952. The weapon reached IOC in 1956, but did not
remain in use very long. 2,000 missiles were produced, and the weapon had a range of 5 miles.

Four Sparrow I missiles carried by an F7U-3M (USN via Robert Sullivan)
With Sparrow having its genesis in beam-riding rockets, the USN initiated a dedicated
AAM program in 1947. A contract was awarded to Martin to develop the AAM-N-4 Oriole
missile, with the goal of fielding a weapon employing active radar homing (ARH) to a range of
up to 25 miles. Difficulties with the guidance system led to Orioles cancellation in 1948,
although the airframe returned as a test article in 1950, serving in that status until 1955. The
missile appearing as the test article featured a range reduced to 5 miles, indicating that an
operational variant would not have met the initial range requirement.
5

Martins AAM-N-4 Oriole (Naval Historical Center via Ryan Crierie)
By the end of 1946, the USAAF had issued numerous AAM development contracts. The
USAAF sought two categories of missiles: those launched by bombers for self-defense against
fighters, and those launched by fighters to intercept bombers. The sole bomber-launched AAM
development program at the time was the General Electric MX-802, codenamed Dragonfly.
Fighter-launched AAM projects included the Ryan MX-799, the Kellogg MX-800, and the Bendix
MX-801. The Hughes MX-798 project represented a continuation of the MX-570 program, albeit
with a new design under the auspices of a generalized AAM research program.
The USAAF cancelled the majority of its AAM programs before production or testing of
hardware occurred, primarily due to budgetary constraints. By March of 1947, the MX-570, MX-
798, and MX-801 no longer remained active. By July of the same year, the USAAF cancelled
the MX-800 and reduced the MX-801 to a guidance system study. The newly formed USAF
eliminated the MX-802 and the MX-800 study by March of 1948.
The first USAAF AAM to reach the hardware stage was Ryans MX-799. The Firebird
missile, eventually designated AAM-A-1, employed midcourse command and terminal SARH
guidance. An operator directed the missile during midcourse command guidance. Intended for
use against bombers, Firebird was subsonic. The first test launch occurred in October of 1947.
6
Earlier in 1947, Ryan initiated studies for a proposed supersonic follow-on program, which
lasted until March of 1948.

Firebird test round mounted on an A-26 in December of 1947 (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)

F-82 Twin Mustang armed with four Firebird AAMs (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
Epilogue
Ultimately, the subsonic speed of the Firebird, coupled with the midcourse command
guidance restricting it to daytime, clear-weather use, led to the programs cancellation in April of
7
1949. Firebirds demise, alongside the cancellation of numerous missile projects in the post-war
years, left the USAF with a single AAM program.

Early AAM Characteristics
All dimensions are in inches, weight figures are in pounds
AAM Range Guidance Weight Length Diameter Span
Hs.298 1 mi Command 209 78.9 16.3 50.8
X-4 1.5 mi Command 133.4 78.8 8.74 28.5
AAM-N-2 5 mi Beam-riding 335 155.5 8 37
AAM-N-4 5 25 mi AR 400 139 11 38.8
AAM-N-5 25 mi SARH 580 167.25 8.25 40.25
JB-3 9 mi SARH 600 172 N/A N/A
AAM-A-1 8 mi SARH 260 112 8 32
8
III. The First Falcons
Birth of the Falcon
The genesis of the Falcon missile program stemmed from the Hughes MX-798 study.
Upon cancellation in March of 1947, the study was reoriented and restarted as the MX-904.
The USAAF now tasked Hughes with the specific goal of developing a bomber-launched AAM,
designated AAM-A-2. This lasted until July, when the USAAF downgraded the MX-904 study to
guidance system development. The USAF restored the MX-904 missile development program
to active status in March of 1948 under the Guided Aircraft Rocket (GAR) program.

1949 illustration depicting MX-904 carriage on the B-52 (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
Early in 1949, the USAF removed the bomber-launched classification from the MX-904
program. With Firebirds cancellation coming in April, the MX-904 stood as the sole USAF AAM
program. Hughes nicknamed the MX-904 missile Falcon, the weapon being designated GAR-1.
GAR-1
The first ground launches of GAR-1 airframes occurred in 1948. Over the course of the
GAR-1s development, Hughes modified the planform of the missile numerous times before
arriving at the canard-delta configuration now associated with the Falcon. The original planform
featured mid-body wings and tail surfaces. Unusually, the wings and tail surfaces did not lie on
9
the same plane. As the early Falcon concepts were tube-launched, this did not present a
problem insofar as mounting the weapon was concerned. Further refinements to this
configuration led to an interim airframe design featuring the same basic aerodynamic
configuration fitted with revised wing and tail surfaces and an extended fuselage.

The original Falcon missile configuration (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)

Tube-launched MX-904 concept for the F-89 (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
The definitive GAR-1 configuration emerged in early 1951 as a compact weapon
designed for internal carriage on interceptors. The small weapon was 77.8 inches long, had a
diameter of 6.4 inches, and a wingspan of 20 inches. The 134-pound weight accounted for the
SARH guidance and control systems, rocket motor, and the contact-fused blast warhead. The
warhead only contained 2.7 pounds of explosive and required a direct hit on the target to
detonate due to the use of contact fusing; this did not necessarily represent a major drawback at
10
the time when engaging non-maneuverable
strategic bombers. The airframe featured
delta wings with rear-mounted control
surfaces and fixed canards.
In August of 1951, the USAF
assigned additional designators to the GAR-
1 missile. Despite the deletion of a bomber-
specific missile requirement, the USAF still
envisioned two weapons at this stage: a
missile suitable for subsonic fighters, the
XF-98, and a missile suitable for supersonic
fighters, the XF-98A. The two-missile
concept likely stemmed from the first two
projected platforms for the Falcon. While
the F-89 Scorpion would emerge as the
initial operational carrier of the Falcon, the
first carrier selected to employ the GAR-1 in
May of 1949 was the forthcoming 1954
interceptor.
Eventually, the USAF dropped the
separate XF-98 concept, as the
performance envelopes of projected
interceptors increased. The early USAF
practice of assigning fighter-series
designators to AAMs under the consideration that the missiles were unmanned interceptors
ended on 15 August 1955. At this point, the Falcon relied solely on the GAR-series designation
system.
GAR-1 air launches began in May of 1951 with XF-98-type missiles, lacking warheads
and guidance systems. By the middle of 1952, test platforms including modified B-25s launched
19 YGAR-1s, employing YF-98A-type missiles featuring guidance systems but still lacking
warheads. The first mock intercept with an unarmed YGAR-1 occurred in June when a B-25
successfully engaged a QB-17. The QB-17, a drone conversion of the World War II bomber,
served as a suitable target for anti-bomber defensive programs.
YGAR-1 missile, outwardly similar to the production
GAR-1 (USAF via Robert Sullivan)
11

The aftermath of a Falcon QB-17 intercept on 21 October 1953 (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
Perhaps echoing the original GAR-1 bomber-launched concept, the B-25 served as a
common launch platform for early trials, including ground launched tests directed at stationary
targets. On 21 October 1953, a modified F-89D fired an unarmed GAR-1 from a wingtip pod.
While the test was a failure as the pod collapsed following missile launch, it signaled the
beginning of Falcon missile testing using USAF interceptors as the launch platforms.

Stationary B-25 used for ground-launches of Falcon airframes (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
12
YGAR-1 firing trials continued through 1954, with Hughes constantly working to update
the missiles configuration and guidance system. By May of 1954, F-89s had fired 10 GAR-1s at
targets, scoring seven hits.
On 27 January 1955, an F-89D destroyed a QB-17 with a GAR-1 containing a live
warhead, marking the missiles first successful intercept employing a USAF interceptor. In
March of 1954, the USAF had ordered 156 F-89H interceptors, to be equipped with six Falcon
missiles as part of their armament suite, representing the first Falcon launch platform to reach
service.
Hughes had delivered the first production-standard missiles to the USAF in 1954, but
issues with the F-89Hs wingtip missile pods and other problems prevented IOC from being
reached for nearly two years. Finally, however, the GAR-1 reached IOC in March of 1956 with
the F-89H as its launch platform. This marked the first operational interceptor/radar-guided
AAM combination in the USAF. The successful development of the GAR-1 led to its inclusion in
the F-101Bs projected weapon system on 20 June 1955.

Crewmembers inspect mock GAR-1 missiles on the F-89H prototype (USAF via Robert Sullivan)

13
XGAR-1B
In November of 1951, Hughes began development of an IR sensor for the Falcon missile.
Initial sensor development concluded in 1954. Hughes mated the IR sensor to the GAR-1
airframe and produced the XGAR-1B, intended to complement the SARH-guided GAR-1. In
September of 1954, the XGAR-1B scored its first air-to-air hit against a target drone, validating
the IR-guided Falcon concept.
The appearance of the XGAR-1B affected more than just the USAFs interceptor fleet.
The USAFs director of requirements, Brigadier General Price, ordered the development of
effective countermeasures against attack by IR-guided weapons. Gen. Prices comments were
likely the result of the appearance of the Hughes IR-guided XGAR-1B.
Epilogue
With more advanced Falcon variants in development and testing, the GAR-1 did not
remain operational with the USAF for an extended period. Furthermore, it does not appear that
the original IR-guided Falcon, the XGAR-1B, ever entered operational service. Production of
the GAR-1 configuration ended in November of 1956, with the missile withdrawn from use by
1960.
14
IV. Improved Falcons
Improving the Falcon
In 1951, Hughes began to develop an improved model of the GAR-1. The goal of this
program was to increase the effective performance envelope of the missile, particularly in
altitude.
Development of the improved Falcon missiles began in 1951 while the GAR-1 was still
undergoing testing. Early GAR-1 missiles could intercept a target at an altitude of 50,000 feet.
The new Falcons would be capable of intercepting targets up to 60,000 feet, in part thanks to
the increasing performance of the interceptors under development. It made sense that if
interceptor performances were increasing then a similar increase in bomber performance would
occur, necessitating the increase in reach.
GAR-1D
The first improved Falcon to emerge was the GAR-1D. The SARH-guided GAR-1D was
fractionally larger than earlier Falcons with a length of 78 inches, but the remaining dimensions
remained the same as the GAR-1. The primary change to the GAR-1D was in planform.
Hughes separated the control surfaces from the delta wings by shifting the wings forward, with
the new surfaces manipulated by hinge arms attached to the trailing edges of the wings.


General arrangement drawings of the GAR-1 and GAR-1D (Sean OConnor)
15
The initial platform for the GAR-1D was the F-102. The F-102 was the interim solution
fielded under the 1954 Interceptor concept, the final iteration being the future F-106, now
referred to as the Ultimate Interceptor. Hughes proposed the F-102, already expected to
employ the GAR-1, as a GAR-1D carrier in October of 1953. A study indicated that the F-102
would be capable of intercepting targets at 60,000 feet with the basic GAR-1 thanks to its
projected performance envelope, and the USAF eliminated GAR-1D capability from the weapon
systems requirements before returning it in March of the following year.
GAR-1D flight trials began in 1955. The weapon entered service in 1956, almost
simultaneously with the GAR-1.
In December of 1956, three F-
102As deployed to Eglin AFB for
GAR-1D firing trials. Of 20 GAR-
1D missiles launched at targets,
only one achieved a hit. This
should not have come as a
surprise to the USAF; during a
conference in late November of
1956, the service criticized the
Falcon missile program due to a
failure rate in testing of roughly
50%.
The USAF temporarily
halted GAR-1D production and
removed the missile from service
to correct deficiencies in the
missile, before resuming testing
in February of 1957. This time,
the USAF deemed the Falcons
performance to be satisfactory,
allowing production to resume.
Because of the GAR-1Ds
success, the USAF also added
GAR-1D capability into the
GAR-2 (left) and GAR-1D (right) in front of an F-102 (USAF via
Robert Sullivan)
16
requirements for the F-101Bs weapon system.
In May of 1957, four F-102 squadrons participated in Operation FAST DRAW at Eglin
AFB for further evaluation of the interceptor and its MG-10 fire control system. The GAR-1D
performance once again rated satisfactory, validating the F-102s capability for continental air
defense. As a result, the GAR-1D re-entered service in mid-1958. Earlier in the year, Hughes
added compatibility for the GAR-1D into the MG-13 FCS for the F-101B.
GAR-2 and GAR-2A
Development of an IR-guided counterpart to the GAR-1D began in July of 1952. This
weapon, designated GAR-2, was 1.5 inches longer than the GAR-1D due to the IR seeker.
Hughes proposed the GAR-2 for the F-102 at the same time the company proposed the GAR-
1D in late 1953. Unlike the GAR-1D, the GAR-2 remained part of the F-102s armament suite
throughout development. Given that both weapons employed the new high-altitude configured
airframe, it may indicate that the initial IR weapon under consideration was in fact the earlier
XGAR-1B.
The GAR-2s IR seeker encountered problems during testing. In July of 1957, F-102
units conducted Operation FAST DRAW Follow-On at Eglin AFB. While FAST DRAW
evaluated the GAR-1D, the follow-on exercise evaluated the GAR-2. Every GAR-2 launched
during this exercise failed. During continued testing of the GAR-2, Hughes determined that the
IR seeker was very susceptible to external interference from environmental sources such as
haze, clouds, and the sun. As the seeker operated in the 2-3 micron range, this was not
surprising. Hughes proposed a two-year program to evaluate and solve the issues with the
GAR-2. During this period, low-altitude evaluation of the weapon in 1959 illustrated that it was
virtually unusable in that environment. The eventual solution was the addition of micron filters to
the IR seeker, although this did not completely alleviate the problem.
The apparent success of the XGAR-1B led to the USAF to add the GAR-2 to the F-89Hs
E-9 fire control system in May of 1955. In August of the same year, the USAF directed Hughes
to provide details on the modifications necessary to incorporate the new weapon with the E-9;
E-9 systems capable of employing the GAR-2 would therefore be designated E-9A.
In June of 1955, a second F-89 variant became an IR Falcon carrier. The F-89J,
developed to employ the Genie air-to-air nuclear rocket, intended to carry four GAR-2 missiles
externally as secondary armament. This, however, turned out to be a rather troublesome
arrangement.
17
Hughes designed Falcon missiles for internal carriage from the beginning of the program.
Fitting the GAR-2 externally required a modified weapon weatherized to handle the temperature
extremes at altitude. This weapon became the GAR-2A, which replaced the GAR-2 in
production in September of 1957.
On the F-89J, Hughes packaged the auxiliary systems for
controlling the GAR-2A, designated the Fighter Missile System, inside
the pylons for the Falcon missiles. This arrangement allowed the
deletion of subsystems required for controlling the SARH-guided GAR-
1D from the F-89Js MG-12 fire control system, an arrangement that
apparently increased the systems reliability when compared to the E-9
of the F-89H.
Following the F-89J, the USAF directed Hughes to incorporate the
GAR-2 in the F-101Bs weapon system on 20 June 1955. Initial plans
called for a mixed load of two Genie rockets and two Falcon missiles, or
alternatively six Falcon missiles.
Despite Hughes efforts, the GAR-2A was prone to malfunctions
due to external carriage, particularly because of vibrations on the missile
airframe damaging internal components, or moisture entering the
guidance system. As a result, the USAF removed the GAR-2A from the
F-89Js armament by 1959, with the Falcon missile pylons containing the
Fighter Missile System auxiliaries deleted from the aircraft. ANG units
operating the F-89J beginning in July of 1959 never employed the GAR-
2A.
GAR-2B
In April of 1962, Hughes began work on modifying the GAR-2A
with a new IR seeker. The IR seeker, taken from the GAR-4A employed
by the F-106, operated in the 3-6 micron range. This made the seeker
far less susceptible to external interference.
By December of 1962, the GAR-2B achieved its first air-to-air intercept of a target. It
entered production as the AIM-4D, following the Department of Defenses new standardized
designation system, in February of 1963, with service entry coming the following July. Apart
from new production, Hughes remanufactured surplus GAR-1D and GAR-2A missiles to AIM-4D
standard. The AIM-4D was unique among Falcon variants at the time insofar as its intended
GAR-2A displayed at
the USAF Museum
(Sean OConnor)
18
use was concerned. Hughes designed previous Falcon missiles to intercept enemy bombers.
While the AIM-4D would replace earlier GAR-2A missiles on the F-101B and F-102, the USAF
also intended to field the AIM-4D on tactical fighters beginning
with the F-4 Phantom II, with an aim towards employing the
missile in fighter-on-fighter combat. In this role, the AIM-4D
would replace the USNs AIM-9. As a result, the AIM-4D
gained not only a new seeker head, but a moisture proof
sleeve over the forward fuselage intended to make it suitable
for external carriage on tactical aircraft not featuring internal
weapon bays.
The USAF issued SOR 200 on 29 August 1962,
outlining the desired weapon system for the forthcoming F-4C.
On 17 November 1964, the USAF amended SOR 200 to
include AIM-4D capability under Project DANCING FALCON.
To avoid production delays, however, F-4Cs did not receive
the modifications necessary to employ the AIM-4D until the
middle of 1968, although the aircraft saw AIM-9 capability
return in April of 1969. The F-4D and F-4E featured AIM-4D
capability from the outset, with the F-4D gaining AIM-9
capability in June of 1969 and the F-4E featuring it during
production.
The USAF conducted F-4 trials with the AIM-4D in late
1965, particularly to evaluate the external carriage system. As
the AIM-4D represented an addition to the Phantom IIs
arsenal, it required a relatively complex method of carriage.
The F-4 carried the AIM-4D on LAU-42/A launch rails,
mounted on the inner wing pylons. With two rails per pylon, a
maximum of four AIM-4Ds was possible. The rails, mounted
both below and on the inboard face of each pylon, did not
share the same configuration. The larger inner rail featured
the nitrogen supply required to cool the seeker head prior to
launch, a decision likely made to allow the F-4 to forego the
lower rails in order to carry other ordnance on the pylon itself.
AIM-4D on display at Air Power
Park in Hampton Roads, Virginia
(Sean OConnor)
19
The trials took place at Eglin AFB. Following its combat employment over Vietnam, the AIM-4D
gradually disappeared from use by the F-4 during the 1970s.
XAIM-4H
The XAIM-4H appeared as the final iteration of the GAR-1D aerodynamic layout,
intended to correct many of the deficiencies of the AIM-4D in the anti-fighter role. The USAF
funded development of the XAIM-4H in 1969, once the AIM-4Ds limitations in anti-fighter
combat had been highlighted in the skies over Vietnam.
The XAIM-4H employed a modified AIM-4D airframe and IR seeker, but added an active
optical proximity fuse. This alleviated the traditional Falcon requirement of a direct hit for
warhead detonation, potentially making the XAIM-4H more capable against maneuvering
targets. The XAIM-4H reportedly introduced a new warhead and enhanced maneuverability as
well.
Hughes produced 25 XAIM-4H test rounds between 1970 and 1971. At least two
intercept tests took place, with XAIM-4H missiles destroying QF-104A target drones on January
26 and July 17 of 1971. Ultimately, this penultimate anti-fighter Falcon found itself as a victim of
budgetary constraints in late 1971, with newer variants of the AIM-9 becoming the standard
dogfight missile for USAF fighters.
Epilogue
Beginning with the GAR-1D, Hughes continuously refined the aerodynamics and internal
components of the Falcon missiles to meet new objectives and offer new capabilities. When the
F-102 finally bowed out from ANG service on 28 January 1977, the remaining GAR-1D and
GAR-2A missiles followed, the F-101B relying solely on the GAR-2B for its guided missile
armament at this point.

20
V. Super Falcons
Delta Dagger to Delta Dart
The F-106 represented the USAFs ideal 1954 Interceptor, proposed in 1949. Problems
with the development of the MX-1179 fire control system led to a 1951 decision regarding the
production of two separate interceptors. The F-102A, regarded at this point as an interim
solution, would enter service first, while the development of the more advanced F-102B
Ultimate Interceptor would proceed for service entry later. As it turned out, the F-102 suffered
delays of its own, before entering service in 1956. The USAF redesignated the F-102B as the
F-106 in June of 1956, and the first examples entered service in 1959, five years after the
services initial plans.
Arming the Ultimate Interceptor
By the end of 1955, the armament suite for the F-106 consisted of a Genie nuclear
weapon and 2.75-inch rockets, with 6 Falcon missiles and 40 rockets as an alternate load. The
USAF dropped the requirement for rocket armament after a short period, with the primary
loadout modified to a single Genie and four Falcon missiles. These Falcons would be the GAR-
1A and a weapon described as an advanced GAR-2. As these new weapons offered increased
performance and enhanced capabilities, and only armed the F-106, they received the name
Super Falcons to differentiate them from their older brethren.

Early F-106 armament concept showing GAR-1A missiles and rocket tubes (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
21
Super Falcon Genesis
Hughes initiated work on the GAR-1A in January 1952, with work on the GAR-1C
following in January of 1954. The GAR-1A and GAR-1C represented SARH and IR-guided
weapons sharing a new aerodynamic configuration. This configuration served to increase the
compatibility of the weapon with supersonic interceptors. By August of 1953, the GAR-1A
employed a modified GAR-1 planform, with extensions added to the wing surfaces in the form of
lateral strakes along the forward fuselage. This configuration was revised, likely as a result of
GAR-1D development, and by the end of 1954 both the GAR-1A and GAR-1C resembled the
GAR-1D save for the lack of canard surfaces and the inclusion of revised nose profiles allowing
launch at higher speeds.
Further improvements made to the GAR-1A and GAR-1C included a new two-stage
rocket motor incorporating boost and sustain capability, and a refined warhead with nearly
double the explosive content of the GAR-1 at 5 pounds. By 1956, the GAR-1A and GAR-1C
had been redesignated GAR-3 and GAR-4, respectively.

GAR-1A configurations from August 1953 and November 1954 (Sean OConnor)
GAR-3
Testing of the GAR-3 began in the middle of the 1950s, with the GAR-3 scoring its first
air-to-air hit in July of 1955. Full testing of the missile and MX-1179 FCS, now redesignated the
22
MA-1, remained a relatively protracted experience due to delays with both the FCS and the F-
106. Two F-106As finally arrived at Holloman AFB to begin weapon system trials over the
White Sands Missile Range in August of 1958.
F-106 trials with the GAR-3 began in March of 1959 following trials of the Genie rocket.
The GAR-3 proved to be problematic, with a June 1959 test resulting in only one of two missiles
fired at a QF-80 drone striking the target. As the Super Falcons still relied on a proximity fuse to
detonate the warhead, this was not an overly satisfactory result. Initial F-106 weapons trials
with the GAR-3 ended on 21 August 1959 when a GAR-3 destroyed a QF-80 drone. Further
trials continued in October and November of 1959, with one test seeing an F-106 fire the GAR-3
in automatic mode under the control of the MA-1 FCS.

An F-106A displayed with a Genie rocket and four GAR-3 missiles (USAF via Robert Sullivan)
Production of the GAR-3 began in 1958, with the weapon intended for use on the F-106.
Problems in testing and the development of further improved variants led to a short production
run of only 300 missiles, however, and operational units rarely used them.
GAR-4
The GAR-4 represented an IR-guided counterpart to the GAR-3. The GAR-4 mated the
improved airframe of the GAR-3 with an IR seeker similar to that of the GAR-2. Hughes
23
produced the GAR-4 in very small quantities. Although it remained in service as late as 1966, it
did not enjoy widespread use in the F-106 community.
GAR-3A and GAR-4A
Development of the improved GAR-3A and GAR-4A missiles began in 1954. These
weapons represented substantial improvements over the GAR-3 and GAR-4 variants. Apart
from enhancements to the guidance systems, the GAR-3A and GAR-4A introduced a new
Thiokol M46 motor with an increased duration sustainer and featured further changes to the
Super Falcons aerodynamic planform in the form of wing root extensions reminiscent of those
found on the 1953 GAR-1A configuration. These extensions underwent various changes over
the course of the test program as Hughes continued to improve the missiles performance. A
weatherproof sleeve also enclosed the forward fuselage of the GAR-3A and GAR-4A, protecting
the sensitive avionics components.

GAR-4A nose detail showing wing extensions and weatherproof sleeve (Sean OConnor)
In January of 1959, the USAF decided to replace the GAR-3 with the GAR-3A on the F-
106. At this time, F-106 production had already begun, and after discussions with Hughes and
Convair it was determined that aircraft produced after November of 1959 would feature GAR-3A
capability. Any aircraft produced before that point would have GAR-3A capability added during
a scheduled Inspect and Repair as Necessary (IRAN) period in June and July of 1960. While
not explicitly stated in available materials, it appears that the GAR-4A replaced the GAR-4 at
this time as well, given that all references to the IR missile after this point involve the more
advanced GAR-4A.
By the end of 1959, F-106 airframes assigned to weapons test duties received the
necessary modifications to begin GAR-3A and GAR-4A firing trials. Weapons trials took place
during the first half of 1960 at Holloman AFB, with additional GAR-4A trials conducted at Eglin
24
AFB in June and July of 1959. Category III testing took place at Tyndall AFB between February
and May of 1960.

Super Falcon variants shown to scale (Sean OConnor)
25
In 1960, the GAR-3A participated in an unusual and unscheduled test launch. On March
14, an F-106A destroyed a Matador cruise missile. The Matador was performing at the
Holloman AFB air show when it became nonresponsive to ground control. Major J.D. Fowler,
piloting an F-106A on a test sortie, received orders to intercept and destroy the Matador lest it
crash into a populated area. Maj. Fowlers F-106A carried two GAR-3A rounds, an inert round
lacking a warhead and a live weapon not fitted with fusing. After a brief pursuit, Maj. Fowler
launched both GAR-3A missiles at the Matador, striking the missile in the engine and causing it
to fall to the Earth over an isolated area.
A similar incident occurred in March of 1962. A RAM-treated Q-2 drone, under
evaluation as a reconnaissance system, launched from a DC-130 over Tyndall AFB. The USAF
dispatched five F-106 interceptors to intercept the drone. This time, however, there would be no
kill: neither the radar nor the Falcon missiles could acquire the target. This would prove to be
one of the few times the USAF interpreted a Falcon missile failure as a successful test, as the
drone was demonstrating an early iteration of stealth technology.
One issue that appeared during testing concerned the new IR seeker for the GAR-4A.
By early 1960, the seeker remained susceptible to external interference, echoing earlier
problems with the GAR-2. However, having a solid amount of IR seeker experience under its
belt at this time, Hughes quickly solved the problem with the addition of a preamplifier in the
guidance system.
The production standard GAR-4A emerged as a very capable IR-guided weapon. F-106
pilots claimed that the missile enjoyed a degree of all-aspect capability, able to track Firebee
target drones from head-on in certain scenarios. Hughes test pilot James OReilly put the
potential accuracy of the GAR-4A on display when he launched a single missile at an IR target
suspended over White Sands Missile Range. The target was a 36-inch diameter disc heated to
simulate jet exhaust, and the unarmed GAR-4A penetrated the disc nearly dead center.
Epilogue
With the USAFs 1959 decision to replace the GAR-3, the GAR-3A and GAR-4A became
the primary guided missile armament of the F-106 over the majority of its service career.
Hughes began production in 1959, and ended it in December of 1962 after delivery of more than
5,000 Super Falcons. The Super Falcon remained operational with the F-106 until the aircrafts
final retirement from ANG service in 1988.
26
VI. Nuclear Falcons
Early Nuclear Efforts
Development of nuclear-armed Falcon missiles began in 1956. Hughes initially sought to
develop two nuclear-armed Falcon missile variants, referred to as the XGAR-5 and XGAR-6.
The XGAR-5 and XGAR-6 represented significantly larger weapons than the basic Falcons, with
their dimensions increased to a length of 140 inches, a diameter of 12 inches, and a wingspan
of 40 inches. The XGAR-5 featured SARH guidance, with the XGAR-6 featuring IR guidance.
While neither of these projects ever reached the hardware stage, the concept of a nuclear-
armed Falcon missile did not stay abandoned for long.
The GAR-11
Hughes returned to the concept of a nuclear-armed Falcon derivative in 1959. The USAF
desired to obtain the capability to intercept Soviet bombers in head-on engagements. Hughes
responded with a weapon featuring SARH guidance. Hughes included SARH guidance out of
necessity, as the IR guidance systems of the time were incapable of functioning consistently in a
head-on engagement. To compensate for the inaccuracy of the eras SARH guidance systems
in a head-on engagement, the weapon employed a nuclear warhead to achieve the desired
single-shot kill probability.
The weapon that emerged in 1960 was the XGAR-11, a new addition to the Falcon
missile family. The XGAR-11 retained the standard Falcon missile aerodynamic layout, with
separate delta wings and tail control surfaces, but did away with the canards found on the early
weapons. The fuselage featured increased diameter to account for both the nuclear warhead
and a new Thiokol M60 motor. Production began that same year following a brief trials
program, and the weapon entered service in 1961 as the GAR-11. The nuclear warhead
selected for the GAR-11 was the W-54, with a 1.5-kiloton yield.
The carrier for the Nuclear Falcon was the F-102. The USAF valued the concept of
nuclear-armed air-to-air munitions, having previously developed the AIR-2 Genie. Nuclear
weapons could potentially damage or destroy multiple enemy aircraft flying in close formation.
As such, they represented potential force multipliers when employed by the interceptor fleet.
The USAF initially evaluated the AIR-2 on the F-102 in 1956, but abandoned the project in 1957
to avoid production delays associated with adapting the F-102 to carry and employ the weapon
operationally.
Beginning in 1961, F-102s underwent modification to accept the GAR-11, which was
dimensionally larger than the other Falcon variants employed. As a result, F-102s only gained
27
the ability to carry the GAR-11 in the center
weapons bay, giving a maximum load of two
weapons. Modification of the F-102 to permit the
carriage of the GAR-11 necessitated the removal of
the FFAR tubes from the inner bay doors to
accommodate the increased wingspan of the
missile.
The GAR-11, redesignated AIM-26A in 1963,
enjoyed numerous features setting it apart from its
Falcon brethren. The combination of SARH
guidance and the W-54 warhead provided the GAR-
11 with an all-aspect, all-weather engagement
capability. Previous Falcon variants often suffered
from guidance system issues requiring lengthy test
programs to rectify, or did not possess the ability to
perform head-on engagements. The addition of a
proximity fuse also negated the typical Falcon
requirement of a direct hit on the target to detonate
the warhead.
The GAR-11s guidance system also
incorporated a home-on-jamming capability, referred
to in USAF documentation as jam track mode,
where the guidance system would track a jamming
source if the SARH guidance mode suffered from
electronic interference. In SARH guidance mode,
the F-102s fire control system illuminated the target
prior to missile launch. The X-band SARH seeker in
the GAR-11 locked onto the target prior to launch,
as the missile lacked the capability to receive
midcourse updates, and guided the missile to
intercept. The home-on-jamming mode greatly
increased the launch range of the GAR-11 in a
head-on engagement, as it was effective at double
GAR-11 displayed at the National Museum
of Naval Aviation (Wikimedia)
28
the range of the SARH seeker. Nose-on against a bomber-sized target, the GAR-11 could
launch in SARH mode at a range of up to 30,000 feet. Home-on-jamming mode provided an
expanded firing range of 60,000 feet in the same scenario. Although not stated in USAF
documentation, home-on-jamming mode may have provided a fire and forget capability to the
weapon.
The GAR-11A
At the time, the GAR-11 represented a sophisticated and powerful
weapon. However, concerns arose over the employment of a nuclear-
armed AAM. While the GAR-11 or AIR-2 were suitable weapons for
engagement over uninhabited territory or the open sea, use of these
weapons over friendly or populated areas was questioned.
The GAR-11A, redesignated AIM-26B in 1963, was developed to
alleviate concerns over using a nuclear weapon over friendly territory. It
retained the GAR-11s capability, allowing the USAF to retain a weapon
capable of head-on engagements. In place of the W-54 nuclear
warhead, the GAR-11A featured a 48.5-pound conventional continuous
rod warhead. The effective radius of the warhead was 60 feet.
Development of the conventional GAR-11A took place alongside
the nuclear-armed GAR-11. F-102s received modifications to use the
conventional weapon beginning in February of 1962. Hughes produced
the GAR-11A between August of 1962 and December of 1963. As the
weapon was merely a modification of an existing AAM, it entered service
with the F-102 one month prior to the first air launch from the aircraft in
October of 1962. Initial testing occurred in May of 1962, with the weapon
scoring hits in all eight of the test launches. While only six F-102
squadrons received modifications to employ the nuclear GAR-11, it
appears that the majority of USAF and ANG squadrons received the
capability to employ the conventional GAR-11A.
Epilogue
The nuclear-armed GAR-11 left active service by April of 1972, with the withdrawal of the
W-54 warhead. With the retirement of the F-102 in 1976, the GAR-11A left the active inventory.
Thus ended the operational careers of the most powerful and sophisticated Falcons deployed in
the United States.
GAR-11A displayed at
the USAF Museum
(Sean OConnor)
29
VII. Export Falcons
HM-55 and HM-58
During the 1950-1960 timeframe, AAMs became the armament of choice for fighters and
interceptors. Advances in missile technology seemed to make the cannon an afterthought, with
many USAF interceptors such as the F-89J featuring all-missile armament.
The GAR-11As capabilities and performance translated well to the worlds AAM market
at the time. Furthermore, the proximity-fused warhead enabled the weapon to be potentially
effective against more agile targets than previous Falcon variants. Hughes exported the GAR-
11A under the designation HM-55. Likewise, Hughes exported the IR-guided GAR-2A as the
HM-58. Hughes often mated these weapons with compatible fire control systems.
Switzerland
Switzerland procured the HM-55 in 1961 to arm its planned fleet of Dassault Mirage IIIS
fighters. The Mirage IIIS featured a Hughes TARAN-18 fire control system, permitting
employment of the HM-55. Switzerland ordered 225 HM-55s, with Hughes delivering the
weapons between 1965 and 1968. Between 1966 and 1969, 36 Mirage IIIS fighters entered
service with the Swiss Air Force, with the majority assembled under license.
The first Swiss Mirage to trial the HM-55 was not a Mirage IIIS, but rather a Mirage IIIC
purchased in 1962. This aircraft, serial J-2201, validated the weapon separation characteristics
of the HM-55 from the Mirage airframe while flying over Cazaux, France in 1964.

Mirage IIIC J-2201, used in HM-55 separation trials (Swiss Air Force)
30
Hughes was not idle regarding weapons trials. The HM-55/TARAN-18 combination
underwent trials at White Sands Missile Range beginning in 1965. The first HM-55 launch
under the Swiss trials program took place in April of 1965, followed by a second launch in
October. Between February and July of 1966, a further 40 launches took place.
The HM-55 remained part of the armament of the Mirage IIIS into the early 1990s. Until
the arrival of the Mirages replacement in the form of the AMRAAM-equipped F/A-18C Hornet, it
remained the only radar-guided AAM in Swiss service.
Sweden
Sweden began its relationship
with the Falcon missile in 1959. The
Swedish Air Force sought a new
missile to arm later variants of the J-
35 Draken family, desiring an AAM
capable of engaging targets at
altitudes up to 15,000 meters. This
requirement stemmed from the fact
that evolving variants of the Draken,
particularly the J-35D, enjoyed
increased performance envelopes.
Sweden initially ordered the
HM-58 in 1959, placing a separate
order for the HM-55 in 1961. Saab-
Bofors assembled Swedish Falcons
under a license-production
agreement with Hughes. As a result,
the HM-55 and HM-58 received the
designations Rb.27 and Rb.28.
Saab-Bofors produced 400 Rb.27 and 3,000 Rb.28 rounds.
Initially, the HM-58 represented an export variation of the USAFs GAR-2A. However,
during the 1960s Saab-Bofors began to modernize the Rb.28 to improve its effectiveness. The
resultant was a de-facto GAR-2B, with Saab-Bofors undertaking the conversion work necessary
to incorporate the IR seeker head from the GAR-4A. Swedish sources suggest that because of
other undisclosed modifications to the Rb.28, the resultant weapon represented the most
The first J-35F, armed with Saab Rb.27 (underfuselage) and
Rb.28 (underwing) Falcon AAMs (Saab AB)
31
effective IR-guided Falcon variant ever fielded, even enjoying superior performance when
compared to the USAFs experimental AIM-4H.
The J-35F became the first Draken variant to employ Swedish-built Falcons. The
Ericsson PS-01/A radar provided signals for the Rb.27s SARH guidance. Modifications to the
radar system to accept inputs from an IRST unit occurred in 1967, the radar being redesignated
PS-11/A. The J-35F demonstrator first flew in 1961, with the test fleet expending approximately
80 Falcon missiles during system trials ending in 1966.
Rb.27 and Rb.28 missiles also comprised the primary armament of the final Draken
variant, the J-35J, which first appeared in 1987. The J-35J represented a modification of 67 J-
35F airframes rather than a new production variant. The J-35J served until Sweden retired the
Draken in 1999.
While the Rb.27
remained unique to the
Draken in Swedish
service, the Rb.28 was
included in the initial
armament package for
derivatives of the more
advanced J-37 Viggen.
However, usage of the
Rb.28 on the Viggen
apparently ended
following the discovery
of handling issues
pertaining to carrying
AAMs on the outer wing
pylons, those wired for
Rb.28 carriage.
Swedish Drakens and their license-built Falcons found their way to Finland beginning in
1974. Finland contracted with Saab to license-build 12 J-35F Drakens as the Saab 35S in
1970, the aircraft being constructed between 1974 and 1975. In 1976, a further six ex-Swedish
J-35Fs were procured, followed by 18 further examples in 1984. These aircraft received the
designation 35FS. Finnish 35S and 35FS Drakens employed both the Rb.27 and Rb.28,
AJ-37 displayed with weapons options, including the Rb.28 (Saab AB)
32
serviced in country by Finnish technicians at Valmet. Like the Swiss Mirage IIIS, Finnish Falcon
carriers found themselves replaced by the F/A-18C. Finland retired the 35S and 35FS in 2000.
Beginning in the 1990s, Sweden and Finland users apparently began a gradual phase-
out of the weapon, retaining the SARH Rb.27. The apparent replacement for the Rb.28 Falcon
would once again be a member of the AIM-9 family, commonly carried by Swedish Drakens in
mixed loads with the Rb.27.
AIM-4D Exports
Apart from the HM-55 and HM-58, Hughes exported the AIM-4D to various clients
employing suitable launch platforms for the weapon. The initial users were Canada, Greece,
and Turkey, all of whom employed interceptors that relied on the Falcon missile as their primary
or secondary armament. AIM-4D integration with the F-4 saw the missile exported to Iran and
Japan to arm F-4D and F-4EJ fighters serving with those nations. The AIM-4D was the final
Falcon variant directly exported by the United States, with later users relying on Saabs license-
built missiles.
Epilogue
Following in the footsteps of the delta-wing interceptors of the USAF, Falcon missiles
armed European deltas for nearly four decades. While the Rb.28 gradually faded from view
over time, the HM-55 and Rb.27 provided Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland with an effective
missile with which to defend their airspace.
33
VIII. The Ultimate Falcon
The Long Range Interceptor
By 1953, the USAF was beginning to study a new interceptor to counter the threat of
Soviet bombers. The USAF referred to its desired aircraft as the Long Range Interceptor, or
LRI, a moniker applied to reference the desired 1,000-mile combat radius. The USAF studied
various configurations, including a Northrop proposal referred to as the Delta Scorpion.
From the outset, the LRI was a Falcon missile carrier, initially employing the GAR-1
before revised requirements dated April of 1954 included the GAR-1A. Project specifications in
October of 1953 called for carriage of eighteen GAR-1 missiles as part of an armament package
also incorporating unguided nuclear missiles and air-to-air rockets. By April of 1954, the Falcon
component decreased to eight improved GAR-1A missiles.
The initial LRI program would not result in any hardware. The F-101B was eventually
approved for production as a complement to the F-102A The F-101B offered greater range
than the F-102A, partially satisfying the goal of the LRI program to intercept Soviet bombers
before they came within weapons-release range of American or Canadian targets.
In spite of these setbacks, the USAF began reinvestigating the LRI concept in February
of 1957. The modified requirements included new weapons and Mach 3 performance. The
requirements also retained the 1,000-mile combat radius of the original LRI project, as the ability
to engage Soviet bombers as far afield as possible still had priority. This new LRI would be
designated F-108, and the eventual winner of the design competition was North American
Aviation.
GAR-X
To meet the USAFs requirements, the F-108 required a new missile, referred to as the
GAR-X. Conceived towards the end of the initial LRI program, the first projected characteristics
for the GAR-X first appeared in May of 1956. These characteristics called for a range of
between 15 and 25 nautical miles with a nuclear or high explosive warhead. The initial GAR-X
design also featured an altitude capability of 75,000 feet, and employed both passive radar and
IR homing. GAR-X was a large weapon, with a length of 134.5 inches and a wingspan of 41
inches. Although work on this design stopped in August of 1956, the nuclear warhead capability
and similar dimensions to the earlier XGAR-5 and XGAR-6 concepts may indicate that the
airframe for the earlier weapons survived as the GAR-X.
34

Provisional drawing of the initial Hughes GAR-X design; note the apparent folding wings (Sean OConnor)
References to a new longer-range missile than the currently available Falcons appeared
as far back as December of 1953, when USAF headquarters envisioned the LRI armed with a
missile with a nuclear or high explosive warhead, with long range enabling launch outside the
range of any defensive systems the target may be employing. These requirements likely led to
the formal GAR-X.
Between February of 1957 and November of 1958, the GAR-X concept underwent
various changes. In February of 1957 the F-108s projected armament suite included Falcon
missiles and at least two GAR-X missiles with a 2-kiloton nuclear warhead. By April of 1957, the
GAR-X concept had been revised to include SARH guidance, secondary passive guidance
(likely IR), and the ability to hit targets within an altitude difference of 40,000 feet of the
launching aircraft. Studies in April of 1958 demonstrated that the F-108 would be able to avoid
the nuclear warheads radius provided launch of the GAR-X took place at a range of no less
than 20 nautical miles.
May 1958 saw a revision to the F-108s armament package, which would thereafter
include only three GAR-X missiles, with a projected stock of 420 missiles available for each
operational wing of F-108s. Alteration to the requirements for the GAR-X took place in
November of 1958, to incorporate a desired altitude reach of up to 100,000 feet.
GAR-9
The GAR-X was officially designated GAR-9 in early 1958, having been assigned to
Hughes for development in mid-1957. Like many Hughes AAMs before it, the GAR-9 would
also bear the name of Falcon, even though it represented a significantly more capable weapon
utilizing a new, considerably larger airframe. In April of 1958 Hughes demonstrated its work on
the GAR-9 and associated AN/ASG-18 fire control system (then referred to as XY-1) to the
35
USAF at its Culver City, California plant. The USAF was reportedly pleased with the
contractors efforts to this point.
As it took shape, the GAR-9 of 1958 was turning out to be a large weapon, easily the
largest AAM in the world at the time. The projected performance was a speed of Mach 6 and a
range of 100 nautical miles. A pre-programmed autopilot controlled the missile for a distance of
62 nautical miles, at which point the SARH seeker would acquire the target and home in for the
remaining 38 nautical miles. Initial specifications for the missile seeker called for the ability to
acquire a 343 square foot target at 38 nautical miles, but this improved to a 100 square foot
target at 63 nautical miles by the end of 1958. The intended powerplant for the large, 818-
pound missile was an Aerojet-General XM59 solid rocket motor. Work also began in 1958 on
the proposed W-42 0.25-kiloton nuclear warhead for the weapon. However, this work did not
progress for very long, the nuclear option eliminated in favor of a 100-pound high explosive
warhead triggered by a proximity fuse. Official cancellation of the W-42 came in June of 1961.

GAR-9 mockup displayed in January of 1959 (National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)
1959 saw various changes to the GAR-9. Problems with the XM59 led to a brief flirtation
with a Lockheed storable liquid fuel motor before Hughes settled on the Lockheed XSR13-LP-1
solid rocket motor. While this did not appear to have had any effect on the GAR-9s range
based on published performance estimates, it did decrease the weapons speed to Mach 4.
During this period, the USAF also directed Hughes to study a GAR-9 variant incorporating both
SARH and IR guidance. The idea, borne out of concerns the USAF had with the GAR-9s
SARH seeker, was to give the missile the ability to remain functional in an ECM-heavy
environment. The dual-mode GAR-9 would employ SARH guidance during midcourse flight,
36
with IR terminal homing. Although not specified, it was potentially capable of launch using IR
guidance alone. The USAF also directed Hughes to study a version solely employing IR
guidance at this time, likely as a backstop against a more serious problem with the SARH
guidance system.
Hughes eventually reported that the proposed dual-mode weapon would see a 2-inch
increase in diameter from 13.5 to 15.5 inches and an increase in weight to 998 pounds. These
changes would have necessitated a redesign of the F-108s weapon bays to accommodate the
larger weapon and impose a range penalty due to the increased weight. As this implied a delay
in the F-108 program, the USAF eventually dropped the dual-mode weapon, a decision that
proved correct in hindsight given that Hughes solved the GAR-9s SARH seeker issues.
1959 also saw the GAR-9 considered for use from the B-70. Designers considered
various defensive systems for the new bomber. One such option was the GAR-9. This concept
would not bear any fruit; in the mind of the USAF, the range penalty for adding such a system
did not override any added mission effectiveness garnered by the presence of a weapon system
such as the GAR-9.
On September 23, 1959, the USAF cancelled the F-108 program. Interestingly, the
USAF chose to proceed with the development of the Hughes radar and missile system, initially
extending the manufacturers contract through June of 1960. It appeared that the USAF was
developing a weapon without a platform, but the requirement for a long-range, Mach 3
interceptor remained.
Arming the AF-12
In March of 1960, Kelly Johnson travelled to the Pentagon to brief the USAF on his
proposed AF-12, a Mach 3 interceptor version of the CIAs A-12 reconnaissance aircraft under
development at the time. Johnson convinced the USAF of the merits of his proposal, and formal
development of the aircraft began in October of 1960 under the codename KEDLOCK.
Lockheed produced three prototypes of the new Improved Manned Interceptor by modifying CIA
A-12 airframes already in production to accept the AN/ASG-18 and GAR-9, and incorporating a
second crew position for a Fire Control Officer responsible for managing the weapon system.
When built, these prototypes were designated YF-12As.
As produced for the B-58 and AF-12, the GAR-9 primarily consisted of magnesium and
plastic. The fuselage and wings were plastic, with the wings bonded to the fuselage.
Magnesium structures reinforced the fuselage and mounted the rear control surfaces. The
37
control surfaces were stainless steel honeycomb assemblies. Power for the control surfaces
came from pressurized hydraulic fluid routed through the wing root assemblies.
A specially modified B-58 undertook the first air launches of the GAR-9. The F-108
program had sought the use of B-58 airframes for weapon system development, and Hughes
eventually employed one modified example to continue GAR-9 development following the F-
108s cancellation. The modified B-58, serial 55-665, fielded the AN/ASG-18 radar in a new
enlarged nose and a weapons pod capable of carrying and launching a single GAR-9. Convair
received a contract to modify 55-665 in October of 1958, with the aircraft delivered to Hughes
for radar installation in August of 1959.
Following various component test programs, including dropping the weapon into a foam-
lined pit to gauge separation characteristics from the B-58s weapons pod, the GAR-9 began
firing trials in 1961. The first ground launch occurred in May of 1961 at the White Sands Missile
Range in New Mexico. By the end of the year, eight missiles had been test fired. These initial
test launches were of unguided missiles, permitting evaluation of the rocket motor and the
aerodynamic configuration. The ground test program continued in 1962, with the first guided
ground launch taking place on January 15.
The first air launch of a GAR-9 occurred on May 25, 1962. Flying at 35,000 feet, 55-665
launched an unarmed GAR-9 at a QF-80 target approximately 15 miles downrange. The missile
performed as advertised, passing within six feet of the target drone. The second launch from
55-665 on August 17 of the same year resulted in the unarmed GAR-9 actually striking the QF-
80 target, demonstrating the accuracy of the missile seeker. Perhaps the GAR-9 sensed its
Falcon heritage!
Air launches of the GAR-9 came to a halt in 1963 due to a test failure. On February 21, a
GAR-9 was fired at a Regulus-II target drone from 55-665. The GAR-9 disintegrated in flight,
resulting in the suspension of the trials program while Hughes modified the design of the
weapon to rectify the problem. Trials resumed with another firing in July of 1963, validating
Hughess modifications. While details of the exact modifications remain undisclosed, they likely
addressed the missiles control surfaces, as an early GAR-9 depicted with the B-58 testbed
possessed different wing designs than those on developed rounds seen later.
AIM-47A
In 1963, the Department of Defenses new standardized designation system resulted in
the GAR-9 being redesignated AIM-47A. The B-58/GAR-9 trials program was nearing an end
38
by this point, as the YF-12A prototypes would begin weapons trials in the near future. The last
AIM-47A launch from 55-665 took place in February of 1964.
AIM-47A trials with the YF-12A began in 1964. On April 16, the first AIM-47A ejection
test from a Blackbird took place. This was a trial involving an unarmed, ballasted weapon
intended to monitor the missiles separation from the YF-12A. Fortunately, it was only a test.
The AIM-47A exited the YF-12As weapons bay with a nose-up attitude; if the weapon was
powered, it would have struck the forward fuselage below the cockpits. Lockheed redesigned
the ejector system used by the YF-12A, and no further issues arose.
Between 1965 and 1966, YF-12A prototypes fired thirteen AIM-47A missiles at various
targets. Lockheed flight crews conducted seven launches, with the other six conducted by
USAF flight crews. These test launches were unarmed but fully guided, with the missiles
homing in on various target drones. The AIM-47A proved capable of hitting targets as low as
500 feet when fired from 75,000 feet and Mach 3.2. Twelve of the thirteen missiles either hit or
passed within the high explosive warheads lethal radius, the single failure attributed to an
internal power failure in a guidance component. By all accounts, the AIM-47A was a formidable
weapon, far outstripping the performance and operating envelope of any other contemporary
AAM.

An AIM-47A test round underneath one of the YF-12A prototypes (USAF Museum)
39
AIM-47B
In May of 1965, Lockheed received an engineering contract to begin work on the
proposed production F-12B. This would have been a refined version of the YF-12A, and would
have used a modified AIM-47B missile. The primary modification to the AIM-47B was the
addition of folding fins to allow stowage in a more compact weapons bay. This feature was
present on the initial GAR-X design but disappeared shortly thereafter. The AIM-47B retained
the same dimensions as the AIM-47A, but was slightly lighter at 800 pounds. The production F-
12B would have employed three AIM-47Bs.
Ultimately, despite finally resulting in prototypes, the USAFs quest for a Mach 3
interceptor ended on the first day of February 1968 with the formal cancellation of the F-12B
program. With the cancellation, development of the AIM-47 also ceased; there would be no
reprieve for the guidance system or the powerful missile this time.

General arrangement drawings of the AIM-47A and proposed folding-wing AIM-47B (Sean OConnor)
AGM-76A
In 1966, Hughes proposed a modified AIM-47A for the anti-radar role. The weapon,
designated AGM-76A, replaced the AIM-47As guidance system and warhead with the passive
radar seeker employed by the AGM-45 and the Mk.81 bombs 300-pound high explosive
warhead. Weight increased to 951 pounds because of the changes, and the weapon was
slightly longer than the AIM-47A at 160 inches due to a revised nosecone accommodating the
new seeker. The AGM-76A program ended by 1968, as the USAF and USN had accepted a
modified, air-launched RIM-66 for the role as the AGM-78.
40

Above: AGM-76A test round on display at the NASM Udvar-Hazy annex; Below right: Stenciling
detail on the museums AGM-76A test article (Sean OConnor)
Interestingly, one amusing story regarding
the AGM-76A briefly circulated before falling victim
to factual evidence. A researcher attempted to pass
off the AGM-76A as a CIA-directed program,
codenamed GX-15, to arm the production F-12B
with a nuclear-armed air-to-ground weapon. A 250-
kiloton warhead was reported, allegedly the same
warhead planned for the AIM-47A. The story falls
apart on multiple grounds without even questioning
why the CIA would be controlling a nuclear weapons program for the USAF: the AIM-47A never
employed a nuclear warhead (nor was a 250-kiloton warhead even considered), and GX-15
was likely derived from the serial code X50X-15 stenciled on an AGM-76A test airframe
currently on display at the Smithsonian. Regardless, official USAF documentation confirms the
projected role of the AGM-76A, as well as details regarding the warhead and guidance system.
Epilogue
While the AIM-47A did not enter service with any of the USAFs long-range interceptor
designs, the test program proved that it was a viable weapon system. The AIM-47A would
ultimately provide Hughes with the genesis of the AIM-54 Phoenix AAM employed by
Grummans F-14 Tomcat.
41
IX. Employing the Falcon
Engaging the Soviets
The primary role of the Falcon missile family was the interception of Soviet bombers
threatening the United States. The design role, coupled with the intended internal carriage
methods employed by USAF interceptors, drove many of the missiles characteristics. Internal
carriage required a relatively small missile, and striking a large, cooperative target allowed for
the use of a small warhead with a contact fuse system. While some of these features would
ultimately prevent the Falcon from achieving a high degree of success against non-cooperative
targets over Vietnam, the missile represented an effective counter to the Soviet bomber threat
when employed by interceptors of increasing sophistication.

An F-102A shadowing a Soviet Tu-95 (USAF Museum)
The various USAF interceptors employing the Falcon missile each featured a dedicated
fire control system designed to manage the intricacies of preparing, arming, and guiding the
missiles to their targets. The Falcon missile served as the primary or secondary armament on
five major interceptors employed at various times by the USAF, serving with the Air Defense
Command (ADC) and the Air National Guard (ANG) primarily under the auspices of NORAD.
42
Each interceptor featured an FCS incorporating increasingly enhanced capabilities, culminating
with the MA-1 fielded by the F-106.
The E-9
The initial FCS fielded to employ the Falcon missile was the F-89Hs Hughes E-9. The E-
9 represented a modification of the earlier E-6 FCS, with the primary change involving the
inclusion of the required subsystems necessary to employ a guided missile such as the GAR-1.
The production-standard E-9 featured a device called the F computer designed to manage
missile attacks. The F computer derived the best possible course from the interceptor to the
target, feeding this information into the FCS to allow the missile to launch on an optimum
trajectory in a lead-collision engagement. The E-9 also performed automatic armament
selection, removing this function from pilot or FCO control. If the FCS judged a missile attack to
result in a miss, it automatically selected rocket armament for a follow-up engagement.
Falcon missile employment with the E-9 FCS represented a lengthy procedure by
modern standards. Forty seconds before entering missile launch range, the FCS shut off the
electric heating elements protecting the Falcons guidance systems. Fifteen seconds prior to
launch, the FCS un-caged the seeker head of the missile, aligning it with the target. At this time,
the FCS aligned the aircrafts radar and the missiles SARH seeker to the same operating
frequency. Six seconds prior to launch, the Falcon seekers range gate servo aligned with the
range gate of the interceptors radar, allowing the Falcons seeker to receive updated
information from the FCS. Final FCS checks of the missile and radar system occurred two
seconds prior to launch. The FCS managed this relatively complicated and time-consuming
process, with the pilot and FCO serving as monitors of the engagement.
The MG-12
A modified E-9 appeared on the F-89J. This system, designated MG-12, replaced the
Falcon missile auxiliary systems with those required to employ the Genie nuclear air-to-air
rocket. Falcon missiles remained part of the F-89Js initial armament suite in the form of the
GAR-2A, with the MG-12 capable of employing the weapons in lead-pursuit engagements. The
MG-12 introduced the Hughes Fighter Identification System, an IFF system for target
discrimination.
The MG-12 also incorporated a new snap-up engagement capability. Hughes began
investigating snap-up attack capability in 1952 during E-9 development, and in September of
1955, the USAF approved the inclusion of the snap-up engagement mode in the E-9. This did
43
not take place; the planned E-9A incorporating the new mode along with other upgrades
evolved into the MG-12 for the F-89J.
The MG-12s snap-up engagement mode required the pilot to follow FCS cues in order to
execute a straight-line climb. Launching a missile at the apex of the climb would theoretically
allow the interceptor to engage a target up to 15,000 feet above it. A 1955 trial of the snap-up
attack capability resulted in three of five Falcon missiles achieving direct hits on the target, with
a fourth missile classified as a near miss.
The MG-3 and MG-10
The next FCS designed to employ the Falcon missile emerged as another modified E-9
system, the MG-3. The MG-3 represented the FCS portion of the MG-10 Aircraft and Weapon
Control System for the F-102. The MG-10 comprised the MG-3 FCS, the AN/ARR-44 data link,
an automated instrument landing system, and the associated electronic components.
The crew complement of the F-102 represented the first major hurdle faced by Hughes in
MG-3 development. Prior to this point, interceptors equipped with the E-9 or MG-12 featured
two crewmembers: a pilot and an FCO. With the F-102 designed as a single-place interceptor,
Hughes had to modify the E-9 to function with a single operator. The MG-3 retained the radar,
F computer, and missile auxiliaries of the E-9, and incorporated the MG-12s Fighter
Identification System.
Following preliminary work on the MG-12s snap-up capability, in 1954 the USAF ordered
Hughes to expand the MG-3s high-altitude capability. This resulted in the inclusion of both
snap-up attack capability and the new GAR-1D. In November of 1956, the USAF formally
ordered the inclusion of 2.75-inch rockets in the F-102s weapon system, requiring further
modifications to the MG-3.
The MG-3 provided three operating modes for Falcon missile employment. Radar lead-
collision mode enabled automatic or manual firing of radar-guided Falcons. Optical lead-pursuit
and optical pure-pursuit represented purely manual engagement modes allowing the
employment of radar or IR-guided Falcons.
Although the AN/ARR-44 suffered through a protracted development period, it
significantly enhanced the capability of the FCS when operational. The AN/ARR-44 input
signals from the SAGE EW/GCI system into the MG-10 system. SAGE fed radar contacts into
the MG-10, with the Fighter Identification System identifying a target. SAGE controlled the F-
102 during cruise to the target by providing inputs into the autopilot. The FCS used control-
surface tie-in to direct the aircraft during the intercept, with weapons release occurring
44
automatically. Following an engagement, SAGE provided autopilot inputs to guide the
interceptor back to base.
The MG-13
Delays with the F-106 resulted in the development of the F-101B as a complement to the
F-102. FCS development for the F-101B involved a degree of irony. One of the primary issues
faced by Hughes in fitting the E-9 into the F-102 entailed modification for single-person
operation. The FCS chosen for the two-seat F-101B was the MG-3. Essentially, Hughes had to
redesign the MG-3 back into a two-man system, designated the MG-13.
The MG-13 retained the bulk of the MG-3s features, including the ability to operate within
the SAGE network via data link. Attention was given to increasing the MG-13s ability to operate
independently of ground control, as the F-101B featured a range great enough to operate
outside of ground-based radar coverage.
The MA-1
The F-106As MA-1 represented the penultimate FCS designed to employ the Falcon
missile. The MA-1 represented the culmination of MX-1179 work initiated in 1950. The MA-1
incorporated the Fighter Identification System of the MG-10, and employed AN/ARR-60 or
AN/ARR-61 data links to receive guidance commands from the SAGE network. The F-106B
employed the AN/ASQ-25 FCS, a derivative of the MA-1.
Operating under SAGE control permitted intercepts to function autonomously in the F-
106A. SAGE controlled the F-106A after takeoff, navigating the interceptor towards an offset
point near the target. Upon reaching the offset point, SAGE directed the autopilot to align the
interceptor on a lead-angle or pursuit course for intercept. The pilot manually locked the radar
onto the assigned target once it came within range, with the flight control system aligning the
interceptor on the proper trajectory for weapons release. Armament preparation occurred
automatically following pilot selection, with either the pilot manually releasing the weapons or
the system performing the task automatically. After the engagement, SAGE guided the
interceptor to a point and altitude where the aircrafts automatic landing system assumed control
of the descent. The pilot then manually lowered the landing gear, extended the speed brakes,
and executed the touchdown.
FCS Employment
Each FCS incorporating Falcon missile capability fired the missiles in salvos rather than
singly to increase the kill probability. The MG-12 and MA-1 fired Falcon missiles in groups of
two or four, with the E-9 and MG-3 firing the weapons in groups of three or six. Contrary to
45
Soviet practice, interceptors fired Falcon missiles in like groups when carrying both SARH and
IR homing variants. When carrying a mixed load of both SARH and IR homing Falcons, IR
Falcons typically launched first to ensure that their seekers did not track on the exhaust plumes
of the SARH missiles.
The MG-13s salvo capability depended on the timeframe. Early F-101Bs featured
armament consisting of six Falcons, with Voodoos later modified for Genie rocket carriage
featuring a two Falcon loadout as a backup to the primary armament of two Genies. Ergo, early
F-101Bs featured a three Falcon salvo capability, with later aircraft featuring a two-missile salvo
capability.
Most of the fire control systems required a minimum of 16 seconds from radar detection
(in the MG-3, MG-13, and MA-1) or radar lock-on (in the E-9) to missile launch. The exception
was the F-89Js MG-12, which only required 13 seconds from radar detection due to the
employment of only IR-guided Falcons. Furthermore, any aircraft employing the initial GAR-1
required a minimum of 20 seconds between target detection and missile launch, due to the less
advanced guidance system.

Falcon missile lead-angle intercept geometry (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
Manual Employment
The Falcon missile represented a relatively complicated weapon system for the
time, with the majority of pre-launch procedures handled by the interceptors FCS. As a multi-
role fighter the USAFs F-4 lacked the required systems necessary for automatic missile launch.
Employing the AIM-4D on Phantom II variants required the pilot and WSO to be far more
involved in preparing and firing the missile. Manual launch procedures for the AIM-4D proved to
be a cumbersome affair and directly affected the usefulness and success of the weapon during
the Vietnam War.
The AIM-4D employed a cooled IR seeker head, the same seeker employed on the GAR-
4A, requiring nitrogen to cool the seeker head prior to use. The cockpit procedure involved in
preparing the AIM-4D for use involved activating the nitrogen supply contained in the upper
launch rail. Once activated, the missile had roughly two minutes of coolant available, at which
46
time it became ineffective. Ergo, a pilot desiring to employ the AIM-4D must activate the coolant
supply prior to an engagement, a dubious proposition, or activate it during a turning fight and
hope that the target remains in an acceptable launch area.
Furthermore, the AIM-4D required 4 seconds of cooling prior to lock-on and launch. This
required the pilot to refrain from firing the missile immediately following the activation of the
nitrogen coolant system. Once the seeker cooled sufficiently, the pilot received a launch tone
indicating that the weapon was locked-on and ready to fire. These procedures differed
significantly from those followed by interceptor pilots, whose aircraft employed an FCS capable
of preparing and in many cases firing the Falcon missiles automatically.
Advanced Capabilities
The various FCSs and weapons employed by ADC interceptors introduced new and
advanced features for the period. Hughes designed many of these features into the system
components themselves, with others added during development or operational service as
modifications.
As designed, both the
MA-1 FCS and GAR-11
missile featured a home-on-
jamming (HOJ) capability.
HOJ capability permitted the
engagement of targets in a
non-cooperative environment
where radar signals became
subject to interference by
hostile jamming sources.
Jamming sources prevented
the interceptor from launching
SARH-guided Falcon missiles
as they denied the FCS the range data required to launch the weapons within their engagement
zones. HOJ capability allowed the target engagement to proceed by providing the capability to
track the source of the jamming, negating its influence on the intercept. The GAR-11 series
Falcons enjoyed increased range at certain aspect angles when using the HOJ feature as it did
not account for target RCS.

GAR-11A launch zones for radar-controlled and HOJ intercepts
(USAF via Ryan Crierie)
47
The MA-1 FCS introduced ECCM capability, the required systems applied as retrofits to
314 F-106As by 1963. The ECCM system allowed the FCS to reject radar returns resulting from
chaff dispersal by a target. The pilot set a switch in the cockpit to identify an approaching or
receding target. This instructed the MA-1 to guide the GAR-3A using the leading or trailing edge
of the radar return. Depending on the aspect angle of the target, this procedure ensured that
the missile homed on the radar return generated by the target and not the chaff cloud.
A final modification to the MA-1 resulted in increased missile performance. Modifications
to the FCS permitted up to 35 percent more deflection of the Falcon missiles control surfaces.
This resulted in a more agile missile at launch, increasing the missiles ability to react to a
maneuvering target.
Training and the WSEM
Falcon-armed interceptors took advantage of a training system referred to as the
Weapon System Evaluator Missile (WSEM). WSEM rounds consisted of wingless SARH Falcon
bodies housing special test equipment. No WSEM rounds existed for IR-guided Falcons,
although TAC employed a captive training AIM-4D round. WSEM rounds recorded FCS inputs
to the missile guidance systems, ensuring that the system performed nominally during a training
intercept. The WSEM annotated signal inputs on rolls of tape for analysis after recovery.

WSEM uploaded onto a launch rail in the bay of an F-106A (USAF Museum)
48
Training consisted of mock intercepts against targets simulating incoming Soviet
bombers and missile launches. Lockheed T-33s often served as targets for the interceptors,
and in some cases expended chaff to evaluate crew and FCS performance in a non-cooperative
environment. Crews conducted missile launches during qualification and as part of annual
William Tell weapons competitions.
Unusual Roles
Although designed as a weapon to intercept strategic bombers, Falcon missile variants
found themselves evaluated or expended in a variety of test programs. These programs
included evaluation of the missiles and FCSs for new roles, and evaluating defensive systems.
In the late 1960s, the USAF evaluated the AN/ASG-18 and AIM-47A in an anti-missile
capacity. The test program involved at least one YF-12A, operating from Edwards AFB at the
time, tracking Minuteman ICBMs fired from Vandenberg AFB in California. The AN/ASG-18
proved capable of detecting and tracking the ICBM during its boost phase, and theoretically
could have guided AIM-47A rounds to intercept.
Falcon missiles returned to the anti-missile role in the early 1970s. The Air Defense
Weapons Center at Tyndall AFB, Florida evaluated the F-106A in an anti-missile capacity
employing GAR-4A missiles and Genie rockets. BOMARC SAMs simulated ballistic targets,
with the GAR-4A and Genie both recording successful intercepts at altitudes of up to 71,500
feet.
The GAR-4A returned to the test inventory in the early 1990s. During an unusual test, an
F-15 engaged a C-141 over the Eglin AFB range in Florida with four GAR-4As. The F-15
launched the GAR-4As outside of their effective range to evaluate the Starlifters Missile
Approach Warning System (MAWS). The purpose of the test was to evaluate the ability of the
MAWS to detect an incoming missile and activate countermeasures systems.
Epilogue
While never operationally employed in its design role, the Falcon missile and its
associated FCSs furthered USAF guided armament development a great deal during the 1950s
and 1960s, introducing such advanced features as HOJ capability and automated intercept.
While never adopted for additional roles, the Falcon/FCS combination ultimately proved to be a
versatile weapon system.
49
X. Falcons at War
The Falcon Goes To War
The combat history of the Falcon missile does not begin with the often-repeated
accounting of its perceived failures as an AAM for the new F-4D. When the F-4Ds first arrived
in Vietnam in May of 1967, another group of aviators was already versed in using the Falcon in
combat. For a brief period, the Falcon found an unusual nicheas an air-to-ground weapon.
Project STOVE PIPE
The Falcon missile arrived on-scene in Southeast Asia during August of 1961. At this
time, F-102As from the 509
th
FIS resided at Clark AFB in the Philippines, and a detachment
deployed to Don Muang Airport near Bangkok, Thailand, to provide air defense during the initial
hostilities. From 1962 to 1964, 509
th
FIS F-102As deployed to South Vietnam on various
occasions to provide air defense of the nation in anticipation of incursions by the North
Vietnamese Air Force (NVAF). These F-102As served as alert interceptors, authorized to
engage any NVAF aircraft intruding into South Vietnamese airspace.
Beginning in August of 1964, F-102As from the 509
th
FIS and the Okinawa-based 16
th

FIS arrived at Da Nang and Tan Son Nhut airbases respectively to begin a long-term F-102A
presence in the region. At various times, F-102As from the Clark-based 64
th
FIS and the
Okinawa-based 82
nd
FIS would also deploy to the region. The F-102A maintained a presence in
South Vietnam until 1970.
F-102A operations in South Vietnam primarily consisted of sitting alert to protect airbases
from NVAF attack. However, during the second half of 1965, Project STOVE PIPE
demonstrated that the USAF was willing to do anything to stem the flow of resources along the
Ho Chi Minh trail. STOVE PIPE involved the use of Tan Son Nhut-based 509
th
FIS F-102As
against ground targets. Employing their IR seekers, F-102As sought out targets along the Ho
Chi Minh Trail, engaging them with IR-guided AIM-4D Falcon missiles and 2.75-inch rockets. If
they detected a sufficient radar return, the F-102s also employed SARH-guided Falcons.
Because of the nature of Project STOVE PIPE, primarily due to the night engagements, it
was often difficult to ascertain if the efforts were having any measurable effect on North
Vietnamese resupply efforts. On some occasions, immediate success was evident due to the
observation of secondary explosions. One particular sortie saw a North Vietnamese munitions
dump struck by Falcon missiles. Secondary explosions continued at the facility for two days,
obliterating the supply cache. Despite these efforts, however, Project STOVE PIPE did not
significantly manage to stem the flow of material along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
50
Following Project STOVE PIPE, F-102As operations in South Vietnam returned to air
combat. Duties included sitting alert, escorting various military formations, and escorting VIP
and commercial flights in the theater. On February 3, 1968, 509
th
FIS F-102As escorting a
group of EW aircraft over Laos participated in the Deuces only air combat engagement of the
war. A pair of NVAF MiG-21s engaged the F-102As, shooting down 1
st
Lieutenant Wallace
Wiggins in the process with an R-3 (AA-2 ATOLL) AAM. Captain Allen Lomax proceeded to
engage one of the MiG-21s with three AIM-4Ds, but the separation was too great for a
successful engagement of the departing target.
Missesand Misses
While the air-to-ground efforts proved to be interesting, the F-102A was an interceptor by
design, best suited for air combat. Ultimately, however, the F-102A and its Falcon missiles left
Vietnam credited with a single air-to-air engagement resulting in no MiG kills. The anticipated
threat of NVAF air raids simply never materialized, leaving the F-102A largely out of the fight
apart from select operations. For the Falcon missile to be truly tested in combat, a different
platform would be required, one which would spend a fair amount of time engaging the NVAF.
In May of 1967, the F-4D began to arrive in Vietnam. At this point, the F-4D relied on the
AIM-4D as its short-range AAM, with the AIM-7 serving as its primary BVR armament. The first
F-4Ds in theater operated out of Ubon AB in Thailand, assigned to the 555
th
TFS, 8
th
TFW.
The AIM-4Ds first combat employment with the F-4D occurred on 2 June 1967. A four-
ship of 555
th
TFS Phantom IIs, composed of two F-4Cs carrying AIM-9s and two F-4Ds carrying
AIM-4Ds, engaged a number of MiG-17s while escorting a flight of F-105s near Kep. While
flying west at 8,000 feet, a flight of MiG-17s was noted passing underneath the fighters. The
MiGs were heading north, breaking into a hard left turn. The Phantoms split into two elements
of one F-4C and one F-4D to engage the MiG-17s, with the F-4Ds flying lead for each element.
The lead F-4D from the first element expended two AIM-4Ds during the engagement.
The lead F-4D fired its first AIM-4D in pursuit from a lead angle of 50-60 degrees, flying at 620
KTAS and 1000-1500 feet AGL, with the target in a hard left turn. The F-4D had to maneuver to
evade both AAA fire from the ground and four more MiGs on a head-on intercept course, but
observed a fireball roughly one mile away after turning to reengage. The lead F-4D fired a
second AIM-4D at a MiG-17 attempting to engage its wingman a short time later. This AIM-4D,
fired in a head-on aspect under roughly the same flight conditions as the previous shot, passed
15 feet under the MiG-17 without detonating.
51
The AIM-4Ds first combat engagement with the F-4D did not result in any official kills
being credited, although the first missile launched appears to have possibly destroyed a MiG-17.
Four AIM-7 and three AIM-9 missiles fired by the formation failed to result in any kills as well.
The engagement highlighted one of the problems that would plague F-4D crews attempting to
employ the weapon. Two AIM-4Ds ran out of coolant while on their launch rails, rendering the
missiles useless.
On 3 June, the F-4D carried the AIM-4D into combat again on a second escort mission
similar to the 2 June event. The F-4C and F-4D formation encountered MiG-17s again, but
expended no AIM-4Ds during the engagement. The Phantoms expended three AIM-7s and one
AIM-9, but did not score any kills.
Two 5 June missions saw the F-4Ds next attempts at using the AIM-4D in combat. The
first mission involved a mixed formation of two F-4Cs and two F-4Ds providing MiGCAP for an
IRON HAND SEAD mission near Thud Ridge. A flight of MiG-17s jumped the trailing element of
one F-4C and one F-4D. In the ensuing engagement, the F-4D fired an AIM-4D and an AIM-7,
with the F-4C employing an AIM-7. None of the missiles scored kills on their targets.
Meanwhile, the lead F-4C/D pair engaged a wagon-wheel formation of MiG-17s. The
lead F-4D initially fired a single AIM-4D head-on at a MiG-17. The AIM-4D did not guide, nor did
an AIM-7 fired during a second pass. A third pass resulted in an AIM-7 kill.
The second 5 June mission involved another mixed formation of two F-4Cs and two F-
4Ds, this time performing MiGCAP for strikes on a JCS target. While covering the egress of the
strike package from the target area, the flight received word that a fight was brewing. The flight
split into mixed pairs with F-4Ds in the lead positions and went on the hunt.
Entering the area in question, the formation came upon four MiG-17s engaged with two
F-4Cs. Single MiG-17s orbited above the furball at 3 oclock and 9 oclock. The lead element of
one F-4C and one F-4D engaged the solitary MiG-17 at 9 oclock, with the second element
engaging the other observer.
The first element succeeded in downing its MiG-17, but it took some effort to do so.
Initially, the lead F-4D fired two AIM-4Ds, of which one failed to guide and a second was not
observed doing anything productive at all, having remained on the launch rail. The pilot
switched weapons and fired four AIM-7s at the MiG-17, with none of the missiles guiding
properly. After reengagement, the F-4C fired two AIM-9s at the MiG-17, hitting the targets tail
and knocking it out of the sky for a confirmed kill.
52
The second element did not turn out to be as fortunate as the first. The lead F-4D
attempted to launch four AIM-4Ds, one of which failed to leave the rail. The three AIM-4Ds that
did successfully launch all missed the MiG-17 by distances of 20 feet, 10 feet, and 10 feet
respectively.
At this point, the AIM-4D began to build a less than stellar reputation among F-4D units.
By the end of August, F-4D crews had attempted to fire twenty-five AIM-4Ds, with seven
missiles failing to leave the launch rail. Of the eighteen missiles actually launched, none scored
hits with the possible exception of the first missile fired on 2 June, although near misses were
common. To be fair, the missions described above also saw six AIM-9s and fifteen AIM-7s
fired, with only a single kill scored by each weapon. If the AIM-4D was not living up to
expectations, neither was anything else.
A good portion of the anti-Falcon sentiment came from a single man, Col. Robin Olds,
commander of Ubons 8
th
TFW. Col. Olds was the lead F-4D pilot on the 2 June mission and
the second 5 June mission, having fired three AIM-4Ds with a fourth aborting on the rail. Col.
Olds became so disenfranchised with the performance of the AIM-4D that he ordered his 8
th

TFW ground crews to retrofit the units F-4Ds with AIM-9 capability, something which would not
be officially included in the F-4Ds armament suite until 1969. These efforts ended in late
1967; Col. Olds left the theater in September and Seventh Air Force directed the unit to halt
AIM-9 modifications.
AIM-4D Success
The AIM-4D finally achieved a confirmed kill in late 1967. On 26 October, a flight of four
F-4Ds, Ford flight, escorted two RF-4Cs on a reconnaissance mission near Phuc Yen AB and
encountered six MiG-17s. Ford 03 fired an AIM-4D at a MiG-17 in a head-on pass, but was
unable to observe the missiles performance as the pilot broke off to avoid another incoming
MiG-17. The crew observed a parachute in the area of the potential intercept, but could not
confirm an AIM-4D kill.
Ford 04, acting as Ford 03s wingman during the engagement, had far better luck, firing
an AIM-4D at a range of 6,000 feet in a tail-chase engagement of an additional MiG-17. This
time, the crew watched as the AIM-4D flew directly up the MiG-17s jetpipe and detonated. The
NVAF pilot ejected for the AIM-4Ds first confirmed kill.
The AIM-4D would go on to score three additional confirmed kills in early 1968. AIM-4Ds
destroyed MiG-21s on 3 January and 5 February, with a MiG-17 kill occurring on 8 January.
With the cessation of Operation ROLLING THUNDER on 1 April, the AIM-4D lost any chance of
53
improving its reputation. Further use in combat may have resulted in a greater success rate, as
the 8
th
TFW received 274 extended-cooling AIM-4Ds around this time. By the time the air war
resumed in earnest in 1972, the F-4D possessed AIM-9 capability, replacing the AIM-4D. The
AIM-4D remained on hand with F-4D units until earlier in 1972, however, formally withdrawn
from the theater on 22 April.
Number Crunching
Due to its lack of success, the USAF perceived the AIM-4D as a failure in Vietnam.
Between the F-4D and F-102A, crews attempted to launch 51 AIM-4Ds at MiGs. Seven of these
missiles failed to leave their launch rail altogether, with only five scoring confirmed kills for a
success rate of only 9.8%. The kill ratio improves marginally to 13.7% if the two unconfirmed
kills count as successes.
While the AIM-4Ds official 9.8% kill ratio seems horrendous, it was not markedly worse
than other AAMs employed during the Vietnam War. Out of over six hundred AIM-7s fired over
Vietnam, the weapon only scored 56 kills, for a kill ratio of 9.2%. The AIM-9 performed better,
with a kill ratio just under 20%, but neither missile was by far a more reliable option than the
AIM-4D, with the AIM-7 actually turning out to be a mathematically less reliable weapon system.
The AIM-7 kill ratio is skewed due to pilots often preferring to ripple-fire at least two AIM-7s per
target to increase the kill probability, but if the number of weapons launched is halved a kill ratio
of only 18.3% is achieved. However, if the missiles effectiveness reflected such a figure,
constant use of ripple-firing tactics would not have been necessary.
Ultimately, the AIM-4D proved to be ineffective over Vietnam for multiple reasons. The
most obvious reason lay in the design of the missile. The AIM-4D represented a modified AIM-4
intended to counter maneuverable targets, including fighter aircraft. As a relatively basic
modification, primarily involving the IR seeker, the AIM-4D retained numerous Falcon features
precluding it from enjoying more success and a better reputation over Vietnam.
Foremost among these features was the presence of a contact fuse. Both the AIM-7 and
AIM-9 enjoyed the advantages of a proximity fuse, which alleviated the requirement for a direct
hit to initiate warhead detonation. The presence of a proximity fuse on the AIM-4D may have
resulted in at least two more kills, pushing the kill ratio to a theoretical maximum of 18.4%,
accounting for the two possible kills and the retention of two missiles launched following a near
miss.
Another reason for the failure of the AIM-4D related directly to aircrew training. While
stateside F-4D crews trained in the classroom and followed this with captive-carry flights and a
54
missile firing, crews in Vietnam only received a slideshow presentation illustrating how to
employ the AIM-4D. This lack of training on the new weapon system likely contributed to the
USAFs finding that pilots launched over half of the AIM-4Ds expended outside of the stated
performance envelope. Returning to the numbers, F-4D crews attempted to fire 48 AIM-4Ds, of
which 41 managed to leave the rail. If 20 of these launches took place outside textbook
parameters, and the five kills took place within those parameters, the missiles kill ratio improves
to between 16.1% and 22.6%, depending on whether the possible kills are included. Both
figures place the AIM-4D in a far different light, and the latter figure would represent the best-
performing AAM of the entire war.
The modified IR seeker provided another headache for F-4D pilots unaccustomed to
employing the weapon. The AIM-4Ds cooled IR seeker employed liquid nitrogen to achieve the
necessary level of sensitivity, but the F-4D only contained enough liquid nitrogen to cool the
seeker head for a total of two minutes. Furthermore, once the cooling sequence began prior to
launch, the missile became useless if not fired within those two minutes.
Regardless of the interpretation of the performance figures, the AIM-4D did not perform
markedly better or worse than other AAMs over Vietnam. The most likely culprit behind the
dislike of the AIM-4D, apart from the complex launch procedures, stems from the fact that the
USAF intended the missile to be its new air combat weapon. When the AIM-4D arrived in
Vietnam and did not live up to this billing by outperforming other AAMs already in use, pilots had
no other logical course of action but to be disenfranchised with the weapons performance.
Cyprus
The airspace above the Aegean Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean proved to be volatile
at times during the Cold War. The Turkish invasion of Cyprus on 20 July 1974 sparked a series
of events including various air combat engagements. A variety of sources describe numerous
alleged air combat incidents, but conflicting accounts and a lack of credible third-party
confirmation make these events difficult to analyze.
One such air combat incident took place on 22 July. On this date, a Turkish F-102A
belonging to 142 Filo reportedly downed a Greek F-5A from 111 Pterix Mahis. According to
Turkish reports regarding the event, the engagement proceeded as follows. A pair of Turkish
Delta Daggers encountered a pair of Greek F-5As while on an intercept mission. Upon closing
with the Greek fighters, one of the F-5As fired an AIM-9, missing the Turkish F-102As. The F-
102As reversed course to take up a trailing position, at which point one aircraft fired a single
AIM-4D, destroying a Greek F-5A in the process.
55
As neither Greek nor Turkish accounts of the events on 22 July can be reconciled with
each other, with each side often claiming aircraft losses due to fuel starvation, for example, the
incident cannot conclusively be proven to have occurred the way it is depicted in Turkish
reporting. However, given the presence of the F-102A in the Cypriot theater of operations, the
possibility of an AIM-4D kill remains until disproven. As reported, it stands as the last Falcon
air-to-air combat kill.
Epilogue
Fortunately for all concerned, the Falcon missile never saw combat in its intended role
against nuclear bombers. However, the intended role that drove the design of the missile
ultimately led to a general lack of success over Vietnam. In hindsight, the AIM-4Ds kill ratio of
11.5%, including the Turkish kill, did not leave the missile with a statistical performance fitting its
reputation as a relatively useless weapon. AAM performance has not markedly improved since
Vietnam with the AIM-7 and AIM-9 logging kill ratios of 28% and 14% over Iraq in 1991.
Historically speaking, a weapon designed in the 1950s for one role achieving a kill ratio of nearly
12% in a different role during the 1960s and 1970s is not indicative of a useless weapon,
especially when considering that it statistically outperformed at least one other AAM over
Vietnam.
56
XI. Conclusion
An Evolving Family
While never adopted beyond the USAF in American service, the Falcon missiles
aerodynamic planform left a lasting legacy on various Hughes products. The AGM-65 Maverick
AGM, AIM-54 Phoenix AAM, and AGM-142 Wasp AGM all incorporated the Falcons delta-wing
planform. Furthermore, the AN/ASG-18 and GAR-9 combination served as starting points for
the development of the US Navys AWG-9 FCS and AIM-54 missile system, serving in a fleet
defense capability onboard the F-14 Tomcat from 1974 to 2004. The AGM-65 remains in
service with American and foreign air arms around the globe, ensuring that the Falcons legacy
will continue into the 21
st
Century.

AGM-65A test round illustrating the retention of the Falcon missile planform (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
As the first guided AAM to reach operational service in the USAF, the Falcon missile
allowed Americas interceptors to enter the Missile Age. Numerous variants displayed
increasing capability and brought new features to the family, ensuring that Americas
interceptors possessed the capability to defend American and Canadian skies from the Soviet
bomber threat. When the USAF retired the final Falcon missiles from the operational inventory
in 1988, the weapon completed a 32-year career defending North American airspace. Despite
development problems, shortcomings in Vietnam, and a constantly evolving design, the Falcon
missile family has earned its place in Cold War history.
57
A1. Data
A1.1 Falcon Missile Designations
Pre-1963 Post-1963 Hughes Model Export Notes
GAR-1 AIM-4 D - First operational variant
XGAR-1A - E - Became GAR-3
XGAR-1B - F - Limited use
XGAR-1C - G - Became GAR-4
GAR-1D AIM-4A DPb - Various platforms
GAR-2 AIM-4B FPa - Limited use
GAR-2A AIM-4C FPb HM-58/Rb.28 Modified GAR-2
GAR-2B AIM-4D FPc - Tactical Falcon
YGAR-3 YAIM-4E EP - For F-106
GAR-3 AIM-4E EPa - For F-106, limited use
GAR-3A AIM-4F EPb - For F-106
YGAR-4 YAIM-4F GP - For F-106
GAR-4 AIM-4F GPa - For F-106, limited use
GAR-4A AIM-4F GPb - For F-106
- AIM-4H - - Trials only
XGAR-5 - - - Unbuilt
XGAR-6 - - - Unbuilt
GAR-X - - - Became GAR-9
GAR-9 AIM-47A - - Trials only
- AIM-47B - - Unbuilt, for F-12B
- AGM-76A HM-107 - Trials only
GAR-11 AIM-26A 52 - Nuclear warhead
GAR-11A AIM-26B 52a HM-55/Rb.27 Conventional warhead

A1.2 Falcon Missile Dimensions
All dimensions are in inches, weight figures are in pounds
Variant Length Diameter Span Pre-Launch Weight
YGAR-1 77.8 6.4 20 124
GAR-1 77.8 6.4 20 127
XGAR-1A 86.5 6.4 24 135
XGAR-1B 77.8 6.4 20 127
XGAR-1C 83.4 6.4 24 135
GAR-1D 78 6.4 20 126
GAR-2 78 6.4 20 124
GAR-2A 79.5 6.4 20 128
GAR-2B 79.2 6.4 20 134
YGAR-3 86.5 6.4 24 135
GAR-3 86 6.4 24 140
GAR-3A 86.365 6.64 23.970 151.94
YGAR-4 83.4 6.4 24 135
GAR-4 82.5 6.4 24 132
GAR-4A 82.5 6.64 24 146
58
AIM-4H - - - 160
XGAR-5 140 12 40 -
XGAR-6 140 12 40 -
GAR-X 134.5 12.75 41 619
GAR-9 (1) 150.5 13.5 33 818
GAR-9 (2) 150.5 15.5 33 998
AIM-47B 150.5 13.5 33 800
AGM-76A 160 13.5 33 941
XGAR-11 84 11 24.4 200
GAR-11 84.25 11 24.4 203
GAR-11A 85 11.4 24.5 258.62
(1) As built, AIM-47A
(2) Proposed dual-seeker variant
A1.3 Falcon Missile Warhead Data
Weight figures are in pounds; Total Weight includes triggering and fusing systems
Variant Type Total Weight Explosive Explosive Weight Yield
YGAR-1 Blast 8 - - -
GAR-1 Blast 8 - 2.7 -
XGAR-1A Blast 12 - 5 -
XGAR-1B Blast 8 - 2.7 -
XGAR-1C Blast 12 - 5 -
GAR-1D Blast 8.4 HBX-1 2.75 -
GAR-2 Blast 8.4 HBX-1 2.75 -
GAR-2A Blast 8.4 HBX-1 2.75 -
GAR-2B Blast 8.4 HBX-1 2.75 -
YGAR-3 Blast 10.7 HBX-1 5 -
GAR-3 Blast 10.3 HBX-3 5 -
GAR-3A Blast 8.65 HBX-3 5 -
YGAR-4 Blast 10.7 HBX-1 5 -
GAR-4 Blast 10.3 HBX-3 5 -
GAR-4A Blast 8.6 HBX-3 5 -
XGAR-5 Nuclear - - - -
XGAR-6 Nuclear - - - -
GAR-X HE 125 - - -
GAR-X Nuclear - - - 2 kT
GAR-9 (1) Nuclear - W-42 - 0.25 kT
GAR-9 (2) HE 100 - - -
AIM-47B HE 100 - - -
AGM-76A HEF 300 - - -
XGAR-11 Nuclear - W-54 - 1.5 kT
GAR-11 Nuclear - W-54 - 1.5 kT
GAR-11A CRHE (3) 48.5 - - -
(1) Proposed
(2) As built, AIM-47A
(3) Continuous-rod High Explosive
59
A1.4 Falcon Missile Guidance and Propulsion Systems
IR bands are in microns, FCS preparation times are in seconds
Variant Motor Guidance Band FCS Preparation Time
YGAR-1 Thiokol T47 SARH - -
GAR-1 Thiokol M9 SARH X 20
XGAR-1A Hughes SARH X 20
XGAR-1B Thiokol T58 IR - 20
XGAR-1C Hughes IR - 20
GAR-1D Thiokol M58A2 SARH X 16
GAR-2 Thiokol M58 IR 1.8-2.7 16
GAR-2A Thiokol M58A2 IR 2-2.7 13-16
GAR-2B Thiokol M58A2 IR 3-6 16
YGAR-3 Thiokol T63 SARH X 16
GAR-3 Hughes XM18E4 SARH X 16
GAR-3A Thiokol M46 SARH X 16
YGAR-4 Thiokol T63 IR 2-3 16
GAR-4 Hughes XM18E4 IR 1.8-2.7 16
GAR-4A Thiokol M46 IR 3-6 16
AIM-4H - IR - -
XGAR-5 - SARH - -
XGAR-6 - IR - -
GAR-X - PR/IR - -
GAR-9 Aerojet-General XM59 SARH - -
GAR-9 (1) Lockheed XSR13-LP-1 SARH/IR - -
GAR-9 (2) - IR - -
GAR-9 (3) Lockheed XSR13-LP-1 SARH X -
AIM-47B Lockheed XSR13-LP-1 SARH X -
AGM-76A Lockheed XSR13-LP-1 PR - -
XGAR-11 Thiokol M60 SARH/HOJ X -
GAR-11 Thiokol M60 SARH/HOJ X -
GAR-11A Thiokol M60 SARH/HOJ X 15
(1) Proposed dual-mode seeker variant
(2) Proposed IR guided variant
(3) As built, AIM-47A
A1.5 Falcon Missile Performance Data
Optimum range and altitude figures are in feet, maximum range figures are in given units, flight
time figures are in seconds
Variant Optimum Range
Max
Range
Altitude Speed Flight Time
YGAR-1 - 4.34 nm 50,000 - -
GAR-1 5,000 25,000 - 50,000 Launch + 2000 fps -
XGAR-1A 5,000 25,000 - 60,000 Launch + 1200 fps -
XGAR-1B 3,000 35,000 - 50,000 Launch + 2000 fps -
XGAR-1C 3,500 35,000 - 60,000 Launch + 1200 fps -
60
GAR-1D 5,000 28,500 37,900 ft 60,000 Launch + 1900 fps 3.2-11
GAR-2 3,500 35,000 - 60,000 Launch + 1900 fps -
GAR-2A 3,500 35,000 - 60,000 Launch + 1900 fps 3.2-11
GAR-2B 3,500 35,000 - 60,000 Launch + 1700 fps 3-25
YGAR-3 5,000 25,000 - 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 4.3-17.3
GAR-3 5,000 25,000 45,300 ft 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 3.5-22
GAR-3A 3,500 35,000 - 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 3.5-22
YGAR-4 3,500 35,000 - 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 4.3-17.3
GAR-4 1,500 35,000 - 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 3.5-22
GAR-4A 1,500 35,000 - 70,000 Launch + 1200 fps 1.3-22
XGAR-5 - - 75,000 - -
XGAR-6 - - 75,000 - -
GAR-X - - 75,000 - -
GAR-9 (1) - 100 nm - Mach 6 -
GAR-9 (2) - 100 nm - Mach 4 -
AIM-47B - - - - -
AGM-76A - - - - -
XGAR-11 - - - - -
GAR-11 - - - - -
GAR-11A 3,000 60,000 62,400 ft 60,000 Launch + 1700 fps 4-30
(1) Initial design powered by XM59
(2) As built, AIM-47A
61
A1.6 Scale Illustrations

Major Falcon missile variants drawn to scale (Sean OConnor)
62
A2. Users
United States Air Force
Operational: AIM-4/-4A/-4B/-4C/-4D/-4E/-4F/-4G/-26A/-26B; the GAR-1B may have been
operational for a limited time.
Test Only: AIM-4H, AIM-47A, AGM-76A
Canada
AIM-4D
Canada purchased the AIM-4D in the 1960s to arm its CF-101B Voodoo interceptors.
Given that the aircraft entered service in 1961, the CF-101B/F likely employed earlier Falcon
variants for at least a brief period as the AIM-4D became operational in 1963.
Finland
Rb.27, Rb.28
Finland received Rb.27 and Rb.28 missiles from Sweden between 1972 and 1976 to arm
its Draken fighters.
Greece
AIM-4D
Greece received Falcon missiles in the late 1960s to arm its F-102A interceptors.
Possession of other Falcon variants is unknown at this time.
Iran
AIM-4D
Iran took delivery of 400 AIM-4Ds between 1968 and 1969 to arm its F-4D. As Iranian F-
4Ds did not use the AIM-4D during the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, the weapon likely did not
remain in service with the Iranian Air Force for an extended period.
Japan
AIM-4D
Japan employed the AIM-4D on the F-4EJ until the indigenous AAM-2 was available.
130 AIM-4Ds were delivered between 1971 and 1972. Interestingly, F-4EJs were seen
equipped with the distinctive AIM-4D launch rails into the 1990s.
Switzerland
HM-55
Switzerland ordered 225 HM-55s in 1961; the missiles arrived between 1965 and 1968.
Sweden
Rb.27, Rb.28
63
Sweden contracted with Hughes to license build the HM-55 and HM-58 as the Rb.27 and
Rb.28.
Turkey
Turkey acquired Falcon missiles to arm F-102 interceptors imported in the late 1960s.
The specific variants acquired remain undetermined, but the period in which the aircraft arrived
would seem to indicate that the AIM-4D was among any variants received. This is borne out by
Turkey claiming an AIM-4D kill in 1974.
Taiwan
AIM-4D
Taiwan appears as a former Falcon user in various sources, although no solid evidence
of ROCAF Falcon use exists. It is possible that USAF F-4D units deployed to Taiwan employed
the AIM-4D, leading to the confusion. Alternatively, F-4D units may have left the weapons in
Taiwan following its discontinuation as Phantom II armament. Regardless, Taiwan would not
have been able to employ the AIM-4D on its own aircraft, as it lacked a suitable carrier with the
required avionics or pylons.
64
A3. Carrier Aircraft
A3.1 Operational Users
Northrop F-89H
Weapon: 6 x AIM-4/-4A/-4B
Carriage: the F-89H employed wingtip pods for armament carriage. These pods
contained FFAR tubes, as well as individual bays and launch rails for three Falcon-series
missiles each. A typical loadout consisted of three AIM-4A and three AIM-4B missiles, with
each pod containing a separate Falcon variant.

F-89H weapons pod illustration depicting GAR-2 Falcon carriage (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
Northrop F-89J
Weapon: 4 x AIM-4C
Carriage: the F-89J featured two pylons under each wing for AIM-4C carriage. The
pylons were inboard of the AIR-2 Genie stations, and were staggered vertically with the inner
pair of Falcons carried on deeper pylons than the outer pair. Problems with external carriage of
the AIM-4C resulted in the removal of their pylons from operational F-89Js, leaving them with
the AIR-2A as their only armament.

Illustration depicting the F-89Js staggered AIM-4C carriage (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
65
McDonnell F-101B/F (early)
Weapon: 6 x AIM-4/-4A/-4B/-4C
Carriage: a rotary pallet contained the weapons for the F-101B/F. The early pallet
contained three extendable Falcon launch rails on one side, with three fixed launch rails on the
opposite side. In flight, exposure of the side with extendable rails allowed carriage of the
missiles in a low-drag, conformal arrangement. Extendable rails were not required on the
opposite side, with these weapons only exposed for launch. Three IR and three SARH
weapons comprised a common loadout. USAF references indicate that the original six Falcon
loadout remained an option during the F-101B/Fs career, although it was rarely if ever used as
the pallet was replaced during modifications to employ the AIR-2.

Illustration depicting the six Falcon pallet design for the F-101B/F (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
McDonnell F-101B/F (late)
Weapon: 2 x AIM-4A/-4C/-4D
Carriage: beginning in 1961, modification of the F-101B/F to carry and launch the AIR-2
Genie nuclear rocket resulted in the introduction of a new weapons pallet. This pallet contained
attachment points for two AIR-2 rockets on one side, and extendable launch rails for two AIM-
4D missiles on the opposite side. Operational aircraft typically employed the AIM-4D, indicating
that the earlier Falcon variants did not remain commonly used.

F-101B cutaway depicting the weapons configuration when employing the AIR-2 (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
66
McDonnell CF-101B/F
Weapon: 2 x AIM-4D
Carriage: identical to the USAFs F-101B/F (late).
Convair F-102
Weapon: 6 x AIM-4/-4A/-4B/-4C/-D, or 4 x AIM-4 series and 2 x AIM-26A/-26B
Carriage: the F-102 featured three separate side-by-side weapons bays along the
centerline, each capable of carrying two AIM-4 series missiles. Separate fore and aft trapeze
launchers located in each bay extended to fire the missiles. Aircraft modified to employ the
AIM-26 series featured provision to carry and launch these weapons from the centerline bay. A
typical late-1950s loadout included three IR guided and three SARH guided Falcons. During
Vietnam, a common loadout consisted of one AIM-4A forward and one AIM-4D aft in each side
bay, with one AIM-26B forward and one AIM-4D aft in the centerline bay.

F-102A weapons bay fitted with the common Vietnam loadout (Sean OConnor)

AIM-4A and AIM-4D shown retracted in the left side weapons bay of an F-102A (Sean OConnor)
Convair F-106
Weapon: 4 x AIM-4E/-4F/-4G
67
Carriage: the F-106 featured a weapons bay with the ability to mount four Super Falcon
series AAMs. Falcons were carried on launch rails in fore and aft pairs. In the F-106A, a pallet
mounted the forward pair of rails, with the aft pair of rails carried on separate trapeze
assemblies. The location of the AIR-2 Genie rocket in the weapons bay between the aft pair of
Falcons resulted in the aft pair of missiles being located further from the centerline than the
forward pair. Avionics relocation in the F-106B resulted in replacement of the pallet with
separate trapeze assemblies for each of the forward launch rails. A typical loadout consisted of
two AIM-4F and two AIM-4G missiles, although four missiles of a single type could be fitted if
desired. In the typical configuration, the forward rails mounted the AIM-4F and the rear rails
mounted the AIM-4G. When engaging a target with all four weapons, the rear pair of AIM-4Gs
launched first to ensure that the IR seeker heads would not simply lock on to the rocket motors
of the AIM-4Fs. Otherwise, the Falcons launched in like pairs, enabling the F-106 to engage
two targets with AAMs per sortie.

F-106A displaying AIM-4F and AIM-4G missiles on extended launch rails (Sean OConnor)
McDonnell-Douglas F-4C/D/E/EJ
Weapon: 4 x AIM-4D
Carriage: LAU-42/A launch rail assemblies fitted to the inner wing pylons allowed
carriage of up to four AIM-4Ds. The inner wing pylon carried one rail on the main pylon itself,
with a second rail on the inboard AIM-9 station. The rail mounted on the inboard AIM-9 station
was a bulkier assembly than that fitted to the main pylon as it contained the liquid nitrogen
supply used to cool the AIM-4D seeker head prior to launch as well as various electronic
68
components. For this reason, it was possible to carry the inboard pair of AIM-4Ds while carrying
other external stores on the main pylons, but not possible to carry only the lower pair of Falcons.
While often associated solely with the F-4D due to the experiences of the Vietnam War, the
AIM-4D was also operational on both the F-4E and F-4EJ, and at least trialed on the F-4C.

A USAFE Soesterberg-based F-4E armed with four AIM-4D missiles in September of 1973 (Fred Willemsen)
Dassault Mirage IIIS
Weapon: 2 x HM-55
Carriage: side-by-side rear fuselage pylons mounted near the trailing edge of the wing.
Saab J-35F/J
Weapon: 2 x Rb.27 and 2 x Rb.28
Carriage: Draken variants capable of employing the Falcon carried up to four missiles.
Rail launchers carried Swedish-built Rb.27 and Rb.28 Falcons. Initially, the larger Rb.27
employed two fuselage pylons, with the smaller Rb.28 carried on wing pylons. Later in the
Drakens career, the Rb.24, a license-built AIM-9, replaced the Rb.28. The Draken retained the
SARH Rb.27. In this configuration, the Rb.27 typically employed the outer wing pylons formerly
occupied by the Rb.28, dispelling the notion that the weapon was too heavy for carriage on
those stations. Early J-35Fs sitting alert sometimes employed a loadout of one Rb.27 and one
69
Rb.28 under the wings, with the fuselage stations occupied by fuel tanks. The Swedish AF
trialed a loadout of four Rb.27s; it is not known if this configuration was employed operationally.
Saab J-37/AJ-37
Weapon: 2 x Rb.28
Carriage: while seldom used, Viggens could employ Rb.28s on the outer wing pylons.
A3.2 Test Users
Boeing B-25
Weapon: early GAR-1 models, quantity unknown
Carriage: an underwing pylon fitted with a launch rail carried the weapon.
Convair B-58A
Weapon: 1 x GAR-9/AIM-47A
Carriage: a specially designed weapons pod for B-58A 55-665 contained provision for
carriage and launch of a single GAR-9. A trapeze launcher carried the weapon.
North American F-86D
Weapon: 4 x GAR-1B
Carriage: two specially fitted pylons under each wing. A single F-86D, serial 53-4061,
evaluated the GAR-1B beginning in 1955 as part of an effort to improve the aircrafts
effectiveness. The effort ultimately ended in 1957 without the Falcon missile becoming part of
the Sabres armament.
Northrop F-89D
Weapon: GAR-1, quantity unknown
Carriage: in 1953 the F-89D trialed the GAR-1 missile with the Scorpions E-6 fire control
system. Modified wingtip pods contained provision for carrying the Falcon missiles in a manner
similar to that employed by the F-89H. The missile did not operationally arm the F-89D despite
provisions for carriage being included in the avionics system.
Convair F-106A
Weapon: AIM-26
Carriage: in the 1970s the F-106 trialed the AIM-26, with the missile being carried
underwing using the same pylons developed for the Seekbat AAM trials. This program involved
the use of helmet-mounted sights, and consisted of both captive carry flights and target drone
engagements. The USAF did not adopt this configuration for service.
Lockheed YF-12A
Weapon: 3 x AIM-47A
70
Carriage: the YF-12A had four weapon bays located in the chines, fore and aft on either
side of the aircraft. The right side forward bay contained avionics equipment, allowing the
carriage of three AIM-47As.
McDonnell-Douglas F-15
Weapon: 4 x AIM-4G
Carriage: modified launchers permitted the carriage of two AIM-4Gs under each wing
pylon.
A3.3 Proposed Users
North American F-86L
Weapon: AIM-4B, quantity unknown
Carriage: the proposed launch system is unknown, but likely similar to the method trialed
on the F-86D. The USAF examined Falcon employment by the F-86L concurrently with the
efforts to employ the GAR-1B on the F-86D.
Northrop F-89F
Weapon: 8 x Falcons of undisclosed variants
Carriage: this Northrop proposal for a heavily modified F-89, dated 1951, featured
underwing weapons pods each capable of housing four Falcon-series AAMs.
McDonnell F-101A
Weapon: 3 x Falcons of undisclosed variants
Carriage: in the initial escort fighter role, the proposed F-101A carried three Falcon
missiles as part of its armament.
Republic F-103 (early)
Weapon: 6 x GAR-1A
Carriage: the initial XF-103 designs mounted GAR-1A missiles in individual launch bays
on the aircrafts fuselage sides. The missiles launched from extendable rails.

F-103 internal arrangement depicting the placement of GAR-1A missiles (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
71
Republic F-103 (late)
Weapon: 4 x
GAR-1A, 2 x GAR-X
(later GAR-9)
Carriage: the
final XF-103 design
featured four GAR-1A
missiles mounted in
similar fashion to the
early designs, with the
addition of two GAR-X
weapons mounted in individual bays along the
upper fuselage sides. After cancellation of
the F-103, Hughes suggested this
configuration as a trials platform for the GAR-
X and AN/ASG-18 fire control system still
planned for use by the F-108.
Convair F-106-30
Weapon: 2 x GAR-9
Carriage: an internal weapons bay
provided carriage for two GAR-9 missiles in
this 1958 study.
North American F-108
Weapon: 3 x GAR-X (later GAR-9)
Carriage: the F-108 featured a unique
rotary weapons bay configuration similar to
that found on the F-101B. The weapons bay
door rotated along its long axis to expose the
three GAR-X missiles for launch, with one
weapon exposed at a time. A V-shaped
assembly fixed to the rotating door served as
the mounting point for the three missiles.
F-108 mockup showing the rotary weapons pallet
configuration (National Archives via Dennis R.
Jenkins)
Artwork depicting the late XF-103 design, incorporating the GAR-X AAM
(USAF via Ryan Crierie)
72
Lockheed F-12B
Weapon: 3 x AIM-47B
Carriage: as YF-12A
Lockheed L-205
Weapon: 6 x Falcons of
undisclosed variants
Carriage: an internal
weapons bay provided carriage
for six Falcon-series AAMs in
this Lockheed proposal
responding to a 1949 USAF
request for the 1954
interceptor which resulted in
the F-102. Many other
companies presented similar
airframes, all featuring Falcon
missile armament carried
internally.
Avro CF-105
Weapon: 8 x GAR-1
Carriage: the CF-105 featured a unique removable weapons bay assembly equipped
with trapeze launchers, arranged in two horizontal rows of four each, for eight GAR-1 missiles.
While available weapon system documentation depicts the early GAR-1 model, it is likely that
more advanced versions would have been incorporated had the CF-105 survived to see
production.
YF-12A tandem missile bays located in the starboard chine; F-12B
bays would have been similarly arranged (Sean OConnor)
73
A4. Gallery
A4.1 Falcon Missile Internal Arrangements
The following illustrations depict the internal arrangements of Falcon missile components.


GAR-1 internal arrangement (USAF via Ryan Crierie)


GAR-3A internal arrangement (USAF via Ryan Crierie)


GAR-11A internal arrangement (USAF via Ryan Crierie)



74

GAR-9 mockup displayed in 1959 opened to depict internal components. Major subassemblies, from left to
right: HE warhead, angular rate sensor and control units, electronics unit, umbilical unit, rocket motor
(National Archives via Dennis R. Jenkins)

A4.2 USAF Illustrations

1953 XGAR-1A concept (USAF via Ryan Crierie)

1954 XGAR-1A concept, bearing resemblance to the eventual GAR-3 configuration (USAF via Ryan Crierie)
75
A4.3 Falcons in Service

F-106A displayed with a complete weapons load consisting of two GAR-3A and two GAR-4A missiles and a
single Genie nuclear rocket (USAF Museum)

A4.4 Falcons on Display

F-106A on display at the USAF Museum armed with Super Falcons: a forward AIM-4F pair and a rear AIM-
4G pair (Sean OConnor)

76

AIM-4A on display at the USAF Museum (Sean OConnor)

Closeup of AIM-4D forward fuselage at Air Power Park in Hampton Roads, VA (Sean OConnor)

Closeup of AIM-4D rear fuselage at Air Power Park in Hampton Roads, VA (Sean OConnor)
77

AIM-4F (right) and AIM-4G (left) displayed underneath an F-106A at the USAF Museum (Sean OConnor)

The AGM-76A employed a revised nose profile housing a passive radar seeker (Sean OConnor)
78
A5. References
A5.1 Books
Buttler, Tony. American Secret Projects: Fighters & Interceptors 1945-1978. Hinckley: Midland,
2007.
Davies, Peter E. USAF F-4 Phantom II MiG Killers 1965-68. Oxford: Osprey, 2004.
Gibson, James N. Nuclear Weapons of the United States: An Illustrated History. Atglen:
Schiffer, 1996.
Gunston, Bill. An Illustrated Guide to Modern Airborne Missiles. New York: Prentice Hall, 1983.
Hughes, Kris, and Walter Dranem. McDonnell Douglas F-4 Gun Nosed Phantoms. North
Branch: Specialty, 1997.
Jenkins, Dennis R., and Tony R. Landis. Experimental & Prototype U.S. Air Force Jet Fighters.
North Branch: Specialty, 2008.
Jenkins, Dennis R., and Tony R. Landis. Valkyrie: North American's Mach 3 Superbomber.
North Branch: Specialty, 2005.
Keaveney, Kevin. McDonnell F-101B/F. Arlington: Aerofax, 1984.
Kinzey, Bert. F-102 Delta Dagger. Blue Ridge Summit: TAB, 1990.
Kinzey, Bert. F-106 Delta Dart. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal, 1983.
Kinzey, Bert. F-4C, F-4D & RF-4C Phantom II. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal, 1994.
Kinzey, Bert. F-89 Scorpion. Carrollton: Squadron/Signal, 1992.
Lake, John, and David Donald, eds. McDonnell F-4 Phantom: Spirit in the Skies. Revised ed.
Norwalk: AIRTime, 2002.
Lennox, Duncan, ed. Jane's Air-Launched Weapons. 37th ed. Coulsdon: Jane's Information
Group, 2001.
Miller, Jay. Convair B-58 Hustler. Liecester: Midland, 1997.
Mutza, Wayne. Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Atglen: Schiffer, 1999.
Nowarra, Heinz J. German Guided Missiles. Atglen: Schiffer, 1993.
Organ, Richard, Ron Page, Don Watson, and Les Wilkinson. Avro Arrow: The Story of the Avro
Arrow from Its Evolution to Its Extinction. Erin: Boston Mills, 2000.
Taylor, Michael J.H., and John W.R. Taylor. Missiles of the World. New York: Charles Scribner's
Sons, 1972.
A5.2 Periodicals
Dorr, Robert F. "Convair F-102 Delta Dagger." Wings of Fame 17 (1999): 30-97.
Dorr, Robert F. "Convair F-106 Delta Dart." Wings of Fame 12 (1998): 36-97.
79
Jackson, Paul. "Mirage III/5/50 Variant Briefing: Part 1." World Air Power Journal 14 (1993):
112-37.
Jackson, Paul. "Mirage III/5/50 Variant Briefing: Part 3." World Air Power Journal 16 (1994): 90-
119.
Landis, Tony R. Blacksheep of the Blackbirds. Airpower Sept. 2002: 22-43.
Lerner, Preston. "Sidewinder." Air & Space 1 Nov. 2010.
Widfeldt, Bo, and Stefan Wembrand. "Saab 35 Draken." International Air Power Review 5
(2002): 124-63.
A5.3 Online Sources
Murph. "F-15 Launching the AIM-4." Aircraft Resource Center. 2003.
<http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Stories1/001-100/0015_F-
15_AIM4/story0015.htm>.
Parsch, Andreas. Designation-Systems.Net.
Peitzmeier, Hubert. "QF-104A Target Drones." 916-starfighter.de. July 2010. <http://www.916-
starfighter.de/F-104_QFs.htm>.
A5.4 Documents
Fino, Steven A. "Technological Dislocations and Military Innovation: A Case Study in US Air
Force Air-to-Air Armament, Post-World War II Through Operation Rolling Thunder."
Thesis. Air University, 2010.
Guided Missile AGM-76A. AFSC Form 81A, 16 August 1966.
Hanson, C. M. Characteristics of Tactical, Strategic and Research Missiles. Rep. no. ZM-486.
Convair, 1958.
MS-1B Program Supporting Information (F-108 LRI-X). 25 August 1958.
Rich, Ben R. The Strategic Aspect of Supercruising Flight. Rep. no. SP-4457. Lockheed
Advanced Development Projects, 1976.
United States. Institute for Defense Analyses. Systems Evaluation Division. Air-to-Air
Encounters in Southeast Asia. Vol. III. Arlington: IDA, 1969.
United States. USAF. Office of Air Force History. Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and
Missile Systems. By Marcelle S. Knaack. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1978.
United States. USAF. Office of Air Force History. The Development of Ballistic Missiles in the
United States Air Force 1945-1960. By Jacob Neufeld. Washington, D.C.: GPO, 1990.
A5.5 USAF Characteristics Summary Sheets
AIM-4A (9/63)
80
AIM-4C (9/63)
AIM-4D (11/63)
AIM-4E (9/63)
AIM-4F (9/63)
AIM-4G (11/71)
AIM-26B (12/63)
GAR-1 (11/54)
GAR-4 (6/58)
GAR-4A (1/63)
XGAR-1A (8/53)
XGAR-1A (11/54)
XGAR-1B (5/55)
XGAR-1C (5/55)
YGAR-1 (8/53)
YGAR-3 (5/56)
YGAR-4 (2/56)
A5.6 USAF Standard Aircraft Characteristics Documents
XGAR-1A (8/53)
XGAR-1A (11/54)
XGAR-1B (11/54)
XGAR-1C (5/55)
YGAR-1 (8/53)
A5.7 USAF Standard Missile Characteristics Documents
AIM-4A (9/63)
AIM-4C (9/63)
AIM-4D (9/63)
AIM-4E (9/63)
AIM-4F (9/63)
AIM-4G (9/63)
AIM-26B (5/64)
GAR-1 (5/59)
GAR-2 (5/59)
GAR-4 (6/58)
81
GAR-4A (5/59)
YGAR-3 (5/56)
YGAR-4 (5/56)

Hughes Falcon missile logo depicted on an AIM-4F displayed at the USAF Museum (Sean OConnor)