Missile, Cruise, Air-launched, Prototype, AGM-86A ALCM

Long-range, subsonic, winged missile designed to be air-launched from B-52 or B-1 bombers.

This is an unflown AGM-86A, the first version of the U.S. Air Force's air-launched cruise missile (ALCM). Designed to carry either a conventional or nuclear warhead, it had a turbofan jet engine, flew at subsonic speeds, had a range of 1,125 kilometers (700 miles), and used an inertial navigation system with terrain-contour matching radar. Because the missile flew close to the ground, it was difficult for enemy radars to detect. Most AGM-86As were used in flight tests in 1976, and none became operational. Subsequent versions of the ALCM with conventional or nuclear warheads and a longer range have been produced and deployed on B-1 and B-52 bombers. Made by Boeing, this artifact was donated by the U.S. Air Force to NASM in 1978.