The AGM-69 Short-Range Attack Missile

The SRAM (Short Range Attack Missile) was a relatively small standoff missile for use by USAF's B-52 and FB-111A strategic bombers. On the B-52, it replaced the AGM-28 Hound Dog.

After the cancellation of the GAM-87/AGM-48 Skybolt ALBM (Air-Launched Ballistic Missile) in December 1962, the USAF had to find another way to modernize the strike capabilities of its strategic bomber force. In March 1964, SOR (Specific Operational Requirement) 212 for a short-range attack missile was submitted by the USAF, and in March 1965, development was approved by the Department of Defense. SRAM was known as WS (Weapon System) 140A, and the missile designator ZAGM-69A was assigned. The following design competition was won by Boeing, who received a development contract for the SRAM in October 1966. The SRAM was to be used by the B-52, the FB-111A, and the then forthcoming AMSA (Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft, later designated as B-1). The first powered flight of an AGM-69A occurred in July 1969, and in January 1971, full scale production of the SRAM was approved. In August 1972, the SRAM was operational with SAC units, and quickly replaced the AGM-28 Hound Dog as the B-52's standoff attack missile.

The AGM-69A was a ballistic-type air-to-ground missile powered by a Lockheed SR75-LP-1 two-pulse solid-fuel rocket motor, and armed with a 200 kT W-69 thermonuclear warhead. The first motor stage propelled the missile to Mach 3 after launch, and the second stage was ignited near the target for a powered terminal approach. Maximum range varied from 55 km (35 miles) for low-altitude launches to 160 km (100 miles) for high-altitude firings. The SRAM was guided by an General Precision/Kearfott KT-76 inertial navigation system, assisted by a Stewart-Warner terrain clearance sensor, and could achieve an accuracy of about 430 m (1400 ft) CEP. The B-52 Stratofortress could carry 8 SRAMs on a rotary launcher in the bomb bay, and up to 12 more on two external 6-missile pylons. The FB-111A could carry up to 6 SRAMs. When carried externally, an expendable tail faring was used on the missile to reduce drag. The AGM-69A greatly increased the number of targets which could be attacked by a single bomber, and made it possible to attack known (fixed) air-defense installations en route to the primary target.

Several proposals were made to improve the versatility of the AGM-69A, including a radar guidance system to use it as an air-to-air missile, or an anti-radiation seeker to attack mobile air-defense radars, but none of these features were adopted. In the mid-1970s, however, storability problems with the rocket motor surfaced, and in 1976 Thiokol was awarded a contract to develop a new motor for SRAM. In 1977, the new motor was combined with other upgrades, including an improved guidance system (with enhanced computing capability) and the W-80 warhead of the AGM-86 ALCM. The new SRAM missile, designated AGM-69B SRAM B, was intended for use by the B-1A. In 1978, however, the B-1A was cancelled, and the USAF found a way to extend the lifespan of the old motor to the originally planned 5 years, and these two events killed the AGM-69B program. Instead, it was then planned to eventually replace the AGM-69A with the AGM-86 ALCM and the forthcoming ASALM (Advanced Strategic Air-Launched Missile). The latter, however, was also cancelled in 1980. When the B-1 program was resurrected (as B-1B) in 1981, it was decided to develop an entirely new weapon, later to be known as AGM-131 SRAM II.

In June 1990, the AGM-69A SRAM was retired from the USAF inventory. Various reasons have been quoted, including unreliability of the warhead and the rocket motor. The AGM-131 SRAM II was cancelled the following year, leaving effectively a gap in the capability of the USAF's B-52 bomber force. A total of about 1500 AGM-69A missiles were built by Boeing until production ended in 1975.

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

Specifications
Data for AGM-69A:
Length	4.27 m (14 ft) (4.83 m (15 ft 10 in) with tail fairing)
Fin Halfspan	38 cm (15 in) (fin tip to centerline)
Diameter	45 cm (17.5 in)
Weight	1010 kg (2230 lb)
Speed	Mach 3
Range	160 km (100 miles)
Propulsion	Lockheed Propulsion Co. SR75-LP-1 two-pulse solid-fueled rocket
Warhead	W-69 thermonuclear (200 kT)

Air War College converted text/photo from Nov 1996 Defense Image Digest CD-ROM

DESCRIPTION: The AGM-69 Short-Range Attack Missile (SRAM) is a supersonic air-to-surface missile used by bombers to neutralize enemy air defenses, such as surface-to-air missile sites, and to strike heavily defended and mobile targets.

The AGM-69 SRAM can be launched without the bomber aircraft being exposed to target area defense systems. Its range, speed, and small radar image provide excellent penetration against advanced enemy air defense systems. The SRAM has an inertial guidance system with terrain-avoidance capability designed so that it cannot be jammed. It can fly sharply curved courses, can be targeted aboard the aircraft immediately prior to launch, and has flexibility in missile speeds and trajectories. It is carried by B-52G/H and B-1B aircraft. The B-52 can carry eight SRAMs on a rotary launcher in the rear bomb bay. The B-1B can carry up to three rotary launchers of eight SRAMs each, or a total of 24 missiles per aircraft. The first SRAM-capable B-1B unit, located at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, achieved initial operational capability in September 1986.

The SRAM's initial 38 test launches were conducted between 1969 and 1971 from FB-111s and B-52 aircraft. The development test program was completed in July 1971, with the missile exceeding specification requirements in terms of range, accuracy, radar cross section and reliability. Since 1971, 123 more SRAMs were successfully tested during the follow-on test and evaluation program. Production of the AGM-69A began in 1971, and the Strategic Air Command received them in March 1972. First to receive them for operational use were the FB-111s of the 509th Bombardment Wing, Pease Air Force Base, N.H. Delivery of the 1,500 AGM-69s to the Air Force was complete in 1975

The Boeing AGM-69 SRAM

Specifications

Main Sources

Air War College converted text/photo from Nov 1996 Defense Image Digest CD-ROM