Bomarc - an inadvertently stealthy aerial target?

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A 1975 Congressional record says in one test-firing the AIM-7F failed to intercept the Bomarc aerial target because the radar return from it was too weak for missile guidance.

Not sure whether the illuminating aircraft - presumably an F-15 - could have kept its radar locked on the Bomarc.
 

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That's really neat, I never knew BOMARCs were used as targets.

Probably the test use for the things.
 
Along the same lines, the Vought Regulus I and Regulus II cruise missiles ended up as aerial targets. My Father was a drone controller for "repurposed" Regulus I cruise missiles, controlling them from a DF-8A Crusader. The FTM (fleet training missile) could be recovered due to their landing gear but the converted TM (tactical missile) had no gear and either were shot down by the armed escort or were put into a dive and splashed in the ocean.

Enjoy the Day! Mark
 
beachhead1973 said:
That's really neat, I never knew BOMARCs were used as targets.

Probably the test use for the things.
Click to expand...

One of the early tests of the AWG-9/Phoenix system was shooting down a Bomarc from a Tomcat. (Mig-25 simulation.)
 
I just realized the Bomarc photo above is one of the RCAF missiles. Anyone know what happened to those Bomarcs airframes? Were they stored/destroyed in Canada or were they returned to the US?

Enjoy the Day! Mark
 
The little bit I could find out about RCAF Bomarcs can be found on http://www.rwrwalker.ca/RCAF_US_recent_detailed.html . This is far from complete, and I would love to hear from anyone with more information.
 

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