U.S. Air Force involvement in Bullpup development began around 1955, when the USAF contracted Martin to develop an advanced derivative of Bullpup, designated GAM-79 White Lance. It was to use a Thiokol LR44-RM-2 storable liquid-fuel rocket engine, and was to have a nuclear warhead option. Another new feature of the GAM-79 was an improved radio command guidance, which no longer required the aircraft, missile and target to be permanently in line during guided flight. This allowed the pilot to fly evasive manouevers with his aircraft and the missile. Because the development of the White Lance would need some time, the USAF decided to procure the unmodified ASM-N-7 Bullpup as an interim missile, with the designation GAM-83.
The GAM-79 White Lance missile was gradually merged into ongoing Bullpup development, and the result was a missile, which was essentially the same as the U.S. Navy's ASM-N-7a Bullpup A, with the exception of the improved guidance system. The GAM-79 designation and White Lance name were therefore dropped, and the missile became the GAM-83A Bullpup.
