AGM-86

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

A staple of the Air Force's long-range strike portfolio has come to the end of the road. The AGM-86C/D Conventional Air-Launched Cruise Missile (CALCM), the non-nuclear sibling of the AGB-86B that remains in service as the backbone of the B-52's nuclear strike mission, is being put rest after decades of service. The last download of these missiles from a B-52H occurred at Barksdale AFB on November 20th, 2019, marking the final end to the weapon's service.

The AGM-86C Cruise Missile That Introduced GPS Guided Weaponry Is Bowing Out Of Service

The Conventional Air Launched Cruise Missile that was first used during the opening shots of Operation Desert Storm is being retired.

www.thedrive.com

 

[sferrin]

I wonder if they'll turn them into targets or just scrap them.

 

[Forest Green]

Surely there are some ISIS targets remaining? Could have a free giveaway event.

 

[Josh_TN]

I think the total remaining inventory is 100 or less anyway, compared to 5000+ AGM-158 A/B.

 

[seruriermarshal]

I think the total remaining inventory is 100 or less anyway, compared to 5000+ AGM-158 A/B.

5000 ? Include LRASMs ?

 

[Josh_TN]

The LRASM production is rather miniscule. USAF's total buy is only 400 ish, and I think only around 10% of that has been delivered. That said I think I mistook the number the USAF planned to purchase vs total current inventory. But the USAF still has well over two thousand units of A/B versions, and production of the A has ceased in favor of the B, with something like 2000+ 158As and a planned inventory of ~3000 B's, plus LRASMs. Additionally there is apparently a 'D' version entering production soon that has improvements to the shape and wings to extend range, and possibly an 'XL' version will purchased as well.

 

[Forest Green]

5000 ? Include LRASMs ?

LRASMs are AGM-158Cs.

 

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

Northrop Grumman System Corp., Salt Lake City, Utah, has been awarded a $135,000,000 contract for remanufacturing efforts in support of the air launch cruise missile inertial navigation element. Work encompasses the disassembly, cleaning, inspection, maintenance, re-assembly, testing and finishing actions as required to return the end item to a like-new condition. Work will be predominantly performed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is expected to be completed Sept. 3, 2034.

Contracts for September 2, 2020

Today's Defense Department contracts valued at $7 million or more are now live on Defense.gov.

www.defense.gov

 

[Grey Havoc]

Interesting development.

 

[AN/AWW-14(V)]

 

[Forest Green]

The little known ZAGM-86A. This is the missile that basically explains why a B-1B's bomb bays are too short for the AGM-86B/C/D. It was scrapped for having too short a range... then there was TASSM (also scrapped)... and then the JASSM was developed.

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

This is an unflown AGM-86A, the first version of the U.S. Air Force's air-launched cruise missile (ALCM).

airandspace.si.edu

 

[zjz]

IIRC, the original ACLM was sized to fit the rotatory launcher of the SRAM.

When the ACLM was lengthened in the -B version, they have to abandon the requirement.

 

[Forest Green]

Yep, the A version had less range than they envisaged, so the longer -B was too short for the bays of the B-1B and B-52G.

 

[Josh_TN]

Slightly OT, is the LRSO requirements public in anyway? Broadly speaking about all I can tell about the AGM-86B replacement is that it is thought to have a longer range and an updated W80 (mod 4).

 

[Forest Green]

Slightly OT, is the LRSO requirements public in anyway? Broadly speaking about all I can tell about the AGM-86B replacement is that it is thought to have a longer range and an updated W80 (mod 4).

Probably coated in the same stuff as the B-21.

 

[flateric]

Cruise Missile AGM-86 First Launch collection. Info brochure with photos. Boeing | eBay

Cruise Missile AGM-86 First Launch collection. Includes 20-page brochure describing the first launch and expectations. Also included are photos a F-16 and the AGM. The collection is Circa 1980 and very rare. The collection was produced by Boeing. Like new. Corners on photos bumped. Please...

www.ebay.com

 

[Orionblamblam]

Cruise Missile AGM-86 First Launch collection. Info brochure with photos. Boeing | eBay

Cruise Missile AGM-86 First Launch collection. Includes 20-page brochure describing the first launch and expectations. Also included are photos a F-16 and the AGM. The collection is Circa 1980 and very rare. The collection was produced by Boeing. Like new. Corners on photos bumped. Please...

www.ebay.com

Oooh. Gimme.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Oh, god, I bought the thing. My financial acumen is... not great.

 

[NMaude]

Oh, god, I bought the thing. My financial acumen is... not great.

When I first read that I thought you'd bought an actual AGM-86.

 

[Orionblamblam]

when I first read that I thought you'd bought an actual AGM-86.

While I'm all in favor of arming yourself as you see fit, that's a bit out of my price range. And being a subject of the State of Illinois, I doubt they'd let me have one. And even if they did... I'd have to register the damn thing, then the first time some jackhole invades a town under a paraglider they'd use that registration to come and confiscate it.

Although the idea of modifying one with retractable gear and a prone-pilot cockpit to turn it into a daily flyer seems appealing for some reason. I bet the AOA on landing is sporty.

 

[Scott Kenny]

While I'm all in favor of arming yourself as you see fit, that's a bit out of my price range. And being a subject of the State of Illinois, I doubt they'd let me have one. And even if they did... I'd have to register the damn thing, then the first time some jackhole invades a town under a paraglider they'd use that registration to come and confiscate it.

Although the idea of modifying one with retractable gear and a prone-pilot cockpit to turn it into a daily flyer seems appealing for some reason. I bet the AOA on landing is sporty.

You know, you can fix that problem, right?

 

[Orionblamblam]

You know, you can fix that problem, right?

Yes, and you can help. For a donation of as little as $100,000, you can help a struggling aerospace engineer/author/illustrator escape political oppression.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Yes, and you can help. For a donation of as little as $100,000, you can help a struggling aerospace engineer/author/illustrator escape political oppression.

Touche.

Texas looks nice for an aerospace engineer.

 

[Forest Green]

Question on AGM-86. Missile threat states a 3,000lb warhead, but the whole thing only weighed <4,000lb???

AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) | Missile Threat

The AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is a long-range, air-launched standoff missile designed to give U.S. bombers the ability to launch their payload from outside the range of anti-aircraft weapons. It is a central element of the United States strategic bomber force. ALCM Development...

missilethreat.csis.org

 

[quellish]

Question on AGM-86. Missile threat states a 3,000lb warhead, but the whole thing only weighed <4,000lb???

AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) | Missile Threat

The AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is a long-range, air-launched standoff missile designed to give U.S. bombers the ability to launch their payload from outside the range of anti-aircraft weapons. It is a central element of the United States strategic bomber force. ALCM Development...

missilethreat.csis.org

It depends on the variant, but the CALCM warhead was approximately 1000 pounds.

 

[TomS]

It depends on the variant, but the CALCM warhead was approximately 1000 pounds.

The USAF fact sheet says "3000-lb class" but this is likely giving the warhead equivalence, not weight. Factor in an REF substantially better than 1, improved warhead casing design, smart fuzing, etc. and you get the effect of a notional 3000-lb bomb in a much smaller package.

AGM-86B/C/D Missiles

The AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles and AGM-86C/D conventional air-launched cruise missiles were developed to increase the effectiveness of B-52H bombers. In combination, they dilute an enemy's

www.af.mil

 

[Josh_TN]

Question on AGM-86. Missile threat states a 3,000lb warhead, but the whole thing only weighed <4,000lb???

AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) | Missile Threat

The AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is a long-range, air-launched standoff missile designed to give U.S. bombers the ability to launch their payload from outside the range of anti-aircraft weapons. It is a central element of the United States strategic bomber force. ALCM Development...

missilethreat.csis.org

Warhead is W80, probably like 500 lbs or less. An entire B-61-7 is like 750 lbs. conventional conversions of the ALCM had ~1000lb warheads and reduced range compared to the strategic version.

EDIT: the entire weapon is 3000# class, not the warhead. The JASSM is 2000# class with a 1000# class warhead.

 

[NMaude]

Warhead is W80, probably like 500 lbs or less.

The W80 weighs 290Lb.

Edit: Weight-class wise the W80 is in the same category as the Mk81 GP bomb.

 

[zjz]

Question on AGM-86. Missile threat states a 3,000lb warhead, but the whole thing only weighed <4,000lb???

AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) | Missile Threat

The AGM-86 Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) is a long-range, air-launched standoff missile designed to give U.S. bombers the ability to launch their payload from outside the range of anti-aircraft weapons. It is a central element of the United States strategic bomber force. ALCM Development...

missilethreat.csis.org

I could not find any mention of "3000lb warhead" in the link you provided .....

Anyway, your question has been answered (correctly) by all the posts above mine .....

 

[Forest Green]

Warhead is W80, probably like 500 lbs or less.

130kg.

 

[Forest Green]

I could not find any mention of "3000lb warhead" in the link you provided .....

1,360kg (AGM-86C Block 1).



Also echoed here and on wiki.

AGM-86B/C/D Missiles

The AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles and AGM-86C/D conventional air-launched cruise missiles were developed to increase the effectiveness of B-52H bombers. In combination, they dilute an enemy's

www.af.mil

 

[TomS]

1,360kg (AGM-86C Block 1).

View attachment 717271

Also echoed here and on wiki.

AGM-86B/C/D Missiles

The AGM-86B air-launched cruise missiles and AGM-86C/D conventional air-launched cruise missiles were developed to increase the effectiveness of B-52H bombers. In combination, they dilute an enemy's

www.af.mil

Ah, this helps, noting that the launch weight for the C models is significantly higher than for the nuke version.

 

[Kiltonge]

AGM-86B cast aluminium structure, AvWeek 10 Dec 1979. Note 'forks' for the warhead.

 

[Scott Kenny]

AGM-86B cast aluminium structure, AvWeek 10 Dec 1979. Note 'forks' for the warhead.

I was not expecting that much to be big cast chunks.

 

[NMaude]

I was not expecting that much to be big cast chunks.

I never really thought about it but if you'd asked me how the AGM-86's fuselage was constructed before I read this thread I would've said it was a riveted semi-monocoque structure aka "Stressed Skin".

 

[Scott Kenny]

I never really thought about it but if you'd asked me how the AGM-86's fuselage was constructed before I read this thread I would've said it was a riveted semi-monocoque structure aka "Stressed Skin".

That's exactly what I was expecting. Stressed skin with a couple big longerons to carry the warhead and mount on the pylons.