Key to the United States nuclear deterrence in the post-World War Two era the Triad concept depended on three strong legs. Land-based Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles, sea-based Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles, and land-based bombers. By the late 1970’s the increasing non-survivability of conventional aircraft significantly weakened the effectiveness of the bomber force. The search for practical solutions to strengthen the Triad’s third leg brought an imaginative solution.

Boeing’s AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile is a diminutive sub-sonic terrain following jet powered missile capable of carrying nuclear and conventional warheads. With a payload of twenty cruise missiles an ageing B-52 Superfortress could stand well clear of an enemy’s defenses and deliver a devastating precision attack deep inside hostile territory without fear of interdiction. At 20 feet long with a wingspan of twelve feet an AGM-86 following the terrain at low altitude is nearly impossible to detect.

Entering service in 1982, the AGM-86 changed the direction of warfare, bringing in the era of stand-off weaponry. From Desert Storm in 1991 to the battlefields of today the AGM-86 is a valuable weapon and fearsome deterrent.

The museum possesses two USAF AGM-86 mock-ups used for loading and transport training.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Weight:             3,150 pounds

Length:           20 ft. 9 in.

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