Note: The true nature of the AGM-76 missile is not completely clear. There are sources, which describe it as an anti-radiation missile evaluated in Vietnam, while others say it was a strategic strike missile for use by the F-12B. The former appears to be more credible right now. However, until the issue is sorted out, the original story is still maintained for reference here (presented in grey print).

 

The AGM-76 was an air-to-ground derivative of the AIM-47 Falcon long-range air-to-air missile, designed in (or around) 1966 as a quick-response weapon against SAMs in Vietnam. It was equipped with the S-band seeker of an AGM-45 Shrike, and had a 113 kg (250 lb) high-explosive warhead (from a MK 81 bomb). AGM-76A missiles were fired from F-4D, A-6 and F-105F aircraft. It is unclear whether there firings were pure tests or if they included also operational missions.

Click on Picture to enlarge

XAGM-76A

 The AGM-76 was an air-to-ground derivative of the AIM-47 Falcon long-range air-to-air missile, and was planned in the mid-1960s as an air-to-ground weapon for the North American F-108 Mach 3 fighter. When the F-108 was cancelled, its weapons suite (AN/ASG-18 fire-control system, AIM-47, AGM-76) was transferred to the forthcoming Lockheed F-12. Twenty-two XAGM-76A test missiles were eventually built, ten of which were actually test-fired. The aircraft for the test launches were not the YF-12A prototypes - most likely, A-3 Skywarriors converted for testing purposes were used.

The AGM-76 was guided by the AN/ASG-18 FCS (Fire-Control System), which had some air-to-ground modes added for this purpose. The hypersonic missile had a range of more than 160 km (100 miles), and its 250 kT thermonuclear warhead would usually be detonated in an air-burst.

After the generally successful XAGM-76A test program, the USAF planned to procure AGM-76A production missiles to equip the F-12B production version of the YF-12A. So armed, the F-12 could have been used as a very fast deep-strike attack platform. However, when the F-12B was cancelled, the AGM-76 program was stopped, too.

Specifications

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

Data for XAGM-76A:
Length	3.82 m (12 ft 6.5 in)
Wingspan	0.838 m (33 in)
Diameter	34.4 m (13.5 in)
Speed	Mach 4
Range	?
Warhead	113 kg (250 lb) high-explosive