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<blockquote data-quote="chami t" data-source="post: 3669216" data-attributes="member: 145463">[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Missiles. [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tomahawk®&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Cruise Missile[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]. The&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tomahawk® is a long range, subsonic cruise missile used for land attack&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; warfare, launched from surface ships and submarines.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Tomahawk® cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; at high subsonic speeds, and are piloted over an evasive route by several&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; mission tailored guidance systems. The first operational use was in Operation&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Desert Storm, 1991, with immense success. The missile has since been&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; successfully used in several other conflicts. In 1995 the governments&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; of the United States and United Kingdom signed a Foreign Military Sales&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Agreement for the acquisition of 65 missiles, marking the first sale&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; of Tomahawk® to a foreign country. After a November 1998 launch and live&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; warhead test, the U.K. declared operational capability.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; [/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]<img src="http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyfacts/tlam.gif" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />The first production version of the Tomahawk® (known as &quot;Block II&quot;) used&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; a Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (DSMAC)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; missile&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; guidance&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; system.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; In other words, the missile used a camera to look at the terrain it was&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; following, and compared it to the terrain map in its memory. The 2nd&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; generation (Block III) added a Global Positioning Satellite guidance&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; capability to TERCOM&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; and DSMAC.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Radar detection of the missile is extremely difficult because&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; of the small radar cross-section and low altitude. Tomahawk® has two&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; warhead configurations: a 1,000-lb. blast/fragmentary unitary warhead&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; and a general-purpose&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; submunition dispenser with combined effect bomblets (cluster bombs).&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Because of its long range, lethality, and extreme accuracy Tomahawk® has&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; become&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; weapon&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; of choice for the U.S. Department of Defense.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Tactical Tomahawk®, the next generation Tomahawk® cruise missile&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; adds the capability to reprogram the missile while in-flight to strike&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; any of 15 pre-programmed alternate targets or redirect the missile to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; any Global Positioning System (GPS) target coordinates. It also will&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; be able to loiter over a target area, and with its on-board camera, will&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; allow the warfighting commanders to assess target battle damage. Launched&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; from the Navy's forward-deployed ships and submarines, Tactical Tomahawk®,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; will provide a greater flexibility to the on-scene commander. Tactical&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Tomahawk is projected to enter service in 2004.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Primary Function: long-range subsonic cruise missile for striking high&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; value or heavily defended land targets.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Contractor: Raytheon Systems Company, Tucson, Ariz.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Unit Cost: approximately $600,000 (from last production contract)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Power Plant: Williams International F107-WR-402 cruise turbo-fan engine;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CSD/ARC solid-fuel booster&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Length: 18 feet 3 inches (5.56 meters); with booster: 20 feet 6 inches&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (6.25 meters)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Weight: 2,900 pounds (1,315.44 kg); 3,500 pounds (1,587.6 kg) with booster&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Diameter: 20.4 inches (51.81 cm)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wing Span: 8 feet 9 inches (2.67 meters)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Range: 870 nautical miles (1000 statute miles, 1609 km)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Speed: Subsonic - about 550 mph (880 km/h)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Guidance System: TERCOM, DSMAC, and GPS (Block III only)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Warheads: 1,000 pounds or conventional submunitions dispenser with combined&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; effect bomblets.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date Deployed: 11986 - IOC; 1994 - Block III; 2004 - Tactical Tomahawk®[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]<img src="http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/images/agm86.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii fr-draggable " style="" />AGM - 86 Cruise Missiles.[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The AGM-86 Cruise Missile as specifically&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; designed to be air-launched from Air Force B-52H bomber aircraft. There&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; are two versions of the AGM-86. The AGM-86B (the first model produced)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; is a nuclear weapon. The AGM-86C is non-nuclear high explosive. While this&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; feature is primarily concerned with non-nuclear weapons, in this case,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; we must also discuss the nuclear version, because the non-nuclear version&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; was developed from the nuclear weapon.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]B-52H bombers carry&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; six AGM-86 (either nuclear or non-nuclear) missiles on each of two&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; launcher,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; giving the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; B-52H a maximum capacity of 20 missiles per aircraft. The small, winged&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; AGM-86B/C missile is powered by a turbofan jet engine that propels it&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; at sustained subsonic speeds. After launch, the missile's folded wings,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; tail surfaces and engine inlet deploy. The AGM 86C uses an onboard Global&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Positioning System (GPS) coupled with its inertial navigation system&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (INS) to fly. This allows the missile to guide itself to the target with&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; pinpoint accuracy.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In February 1974, the Air Force entered into contract to develop and&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; flight-test the prototype AGM-86A air-launched cruise missile, which&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; was slightly smaller than the later B and C models. The 86A model did&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; not go into production. Instead, in January 1977, the Air Force began&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; full-scale development of the AGM-86B, which greatly enhanced the B-52's&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; capabilities and helped America maintain a strategic deterrent.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Production of the initial 225 AGM-86B missiles began in fiscal year&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1980 and production of a total 1,715 missiles was completed in October&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 1986. The air-launched cruise missile had become operational four years&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; earlier, in December 1982, with the 416th Bombardment Wing, Griffiss&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Air Force Base, N.Y., which deactivated when the base closed in 1995.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In June 1986 a limited number of AGM-86B missiles were converted to&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; carry a high-explosive blast/fragmentation warhead and an internal GPS.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; They were redesignated as the AGM-86C CALCM. This modification also replaced&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; the B model's terrain contour-matching guidance system and integrated&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; a GPS capability with the existing inertial navigation computer system.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The CALCM became&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; operational in January 1991 at the onset of Operation Desert Storm.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Seven B-52s, from Barksdale AFB, La., launched 35 missiles&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; at designated launch points in the U. S. Central Command's area of responsibility&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; to attack high-priority targets in Iraq. These &quot;round-robin&quot; missions&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; marked the beginning of the air campaign for Kuwait's liberation and&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; are the longest known aircraft combat sorties in history (more than 14,000&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; miles and 35 hours of flight).[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Prior to the 2nd Gulf War, CALCM's most recent employment occurred in&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Sept. 1996 during Operation Desert Strike. In response to Iraq's continued&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; hostilities&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; against the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Kurds in northern Iraq, the Air Force launched 13 CALCMs in a joint attack&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; with the Navy. This mission has put the CALCM program in the spotlight&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; for future modifications.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In 1996 and 1997, 200 additional CALCMs were produced from excess ALCMs.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; These missiles, designated Block I, incorporate improvements such as&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; a larger and improved conventional payload (3,000 pound blast class),&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; a multi-channel GPS receiver and integration of the buffer box into the&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; GPS receiver. The upgraded avionics package was retrofitted into all&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; existing CALCM (Block 0) so all AGM-86C missiles are electronically identical.[/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The AGM-86D CALCM Block II is equipped with a new Lockheed Martin 540 kg&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; (1200 lb) AUP (Advanced Unitary Penetrator) penetrating warhead for use&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; against deeply buried and/or hardened targets. The first flight test of&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; an AGM-86D occurred in November 2001, and it is currently planned to produce&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; almost 200 CALCMs as AGM-86Ds.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [/FONT]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Primary Function: Air-to-ground strategic cruise missile&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Contractor: Boeing Defense and Space Group.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Guidance Contractors: Litton Guidance and Control, and Interstate Electronics&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Corp. (AGM-86C model)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Power Plant: Williams Research Corp. F-107-WR-10 turbofan engine&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Thrust: 600 pounds &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Length: 20 feet, 9 inches (6.3 meters)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Weight: 3,150 pounds (1,429 kilograms)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Diameter: 24.5 inches (62.23 centimeters)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Wingspan: 12 feet (3.65 meters)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Range: AGM-86C: 600 nautical miles (nominal);&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; classified (specific)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Speed: AGM 86C, high subsonic (nominal),&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; classified (specific)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Guidance System:&nbsp; AGM 86C, Litton INS element integrated with&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; multi-channel onboard GPS&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Warheads:&nbsp; AGM-86C; Block 0, 2,000 pound class,&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; and Block I , 3,000 pound class&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Unit Cost: AGM-86B, $1 million; AGM-86C, additional $160,000 conversion&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; cost &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Date Deployed:&nbsp; AGM-86C, January 1991&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Inventory:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; AGM-86C, 239, Block 0, 41; Block I, 198 [/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]<img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" /><img src="/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/default/happy.gif"&nbsp; class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":)" title="Happy&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" data-shortname=":)" />
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[QUOTE="chami t, post: 3669216, member: 145463"] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=5][COLOR=#cc0000][B]Missiles. [/B][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][SIZE=5] [/SIZE][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2][B]Tomahawk® Cruise Missile[/B][/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2][B].[/B] The Tomahawk® is a long range, subsonic cruise missile used for land attack warfare, launched from surface ships and submarines.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]The Tomahawk® cruise missiles are designed to fly at extremely low altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and are piloted over an evasive route by several mission tailored guidance systems. The first operational use was in Operation Desert Storm, 1991, with immense success. The missile has since been successfully used in several other conflicts. In 1995 the governments of the United States and United Kingdom signed a Foreign Military Sales Agreement for the acquisition of 65 missiles, marking the first sale of Tomahawk® to a foreign country. After a November 1998 launch and live warhead test, the U.K. declared operational capability. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2][IMG]http://usmilitary.about.com/library/milinfo/navyfacts/tlam.gif[/IMG]The first production version of the Tomahawk® (known as "Block II") used a Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching Area Correlation (DSMAC) missile guidance system. In other words, the missile used a camera to look at the terrain it was following, and compared it to the terrain map in its memory. The 2nd generation (Block III) added a Global Positioning Satellite guidance capability to TERCOM and DSMAC. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Radar detection of the missile is extremely difficult because of the small radar cross-section and low altitude. Tomahawk® has two warhead configurations: a 1,000-lb. blast/fragmentary unitary warhead and a general-purpose submunition dispenser with combined effect bomblets (cluster bombs). Because of its long range, lethality, and extreme accuracy Tomahawk® has become the weapon of choice for the U.S. Department of Defense. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Tactical Tomahawk®, the next generation Tomahawk® cruise missile adds the capability to reprogram the missile while in-flight to strike any of 15 pre-programmed alternate targets or redirect the missile to any Global Positioning System (GPS) target coordinates. It also will be able to loiter over a target area, and with its on-board camera, will allow the warfighting commanders to assess target battle damage. Launched from the Navy's forward-deployed ships and submarines, Tactical Tomahawk®, will provide a greater flexibility to the on-scene commander. Tactical Tomahawk is projected to enter service in 2004.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Primary Function: long-range subsonic cruise missile for striking high value or heavily defended land targets. Contractor: Raytheon Systems Company, Tucson, Ariz. Unit Cost: approximately $600,000 (from last production contract) Power Plant: Williams International F107-WR-402 cruise turbo-fan engine; CSD/ARC solid-fuel booster Length: 18 feet 3 inches (5.56 meters); with booster: 20 feet 6 inches (6.25 meters) Weight: 2,900 pounds (1,315.44 kg); 3,500 pounds (1,587.6 kg) with booster Diameter: 20.4 inches (51.81 cm) Wing Span: 8 feet 9 inches (2.67 meters) Range: 870 nautical miles (1000 statute miles, 1609 km) Speed: Subsonic - about 550 mph (880 km/h) Guidance System: TERCOM, DSMAC, and GPS (Block III only) Warheads: 1,000 pounds or conventional submunitions dispenser with combined effect bomblets. Date Deployed: 11986 - IOC; 1994 - Block III; 2004 - Tactical Tomahawk®[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT] [B][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2][IMG]http://usmilitary.about.com/library/weekly/images/agm86.jpg[/IMG]AGM - 86 Cruise Missiles.[/SIZE][/FONT][/B][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2] [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]The AGM-86 Cruise Missile as specifically designed to be air-launched from Air Force B-52H bomber aircraft. There are two versions of the AGM-86. The AGM-86B (the first model produced) is a nuclear weapon. The AGM-86C is non-nuclear high explosive. While this feature is primarily concerned with non-nuclear weapons, in this case, we must also discuss the nuclear version, because the non-nuclear version was developed from the nuclear weapon.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]B-52H bombers carry six AGM-86 (either nuclear or non-nuclear) missiles on each of two externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary launcher, giving the B-52H a maximum capacity of 20 missiles per aircraft. The small, winged AGM-86B/C missile is powered by a turbofan jet engine that propels it at sustained subsonic speeds. After launch, the missile's folded wings, tail surfaces and engine inlet deploy. The AGM 86C uses an onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) coupled with its inertial navigation system (INS) to fly. This allows the missile to guide itself to the target with pinpoint accuracy.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]In February 1974, the Air Force entered into contract to develop and flight-test the prototype AGM-86A air-launched cruise missile, which was slightly smaller than the later B and C models. The 86A model did not go into production. Instead, in January 1977, the Air Force began full-scale development of the AGM-86B, which greatly enhanced the B-52's capabilities and helped America maintain a strategic deterrent.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Production of the initial 225 AGM-86B missiles began in fiscal year 1980 and production of a total 1,715 missiles was completed in October 1986. The air-launched cruise missile had become operational four years earlier, in December 1982, with the 416th Bombardment Wing, Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y., which deactivated when the base closed in 1995.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]In June 1986 a limited number of AGM-86B missiles were converted to carry a high-explosive blast/fragmentation warhead and an internal GPS. They were redesignated as the AGM-86C CALCM. This modification also replaced the B model's terrain contour-matching guidance system and integrated a GPS capability with the existing inertial navigation computer system.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]The CALCM became operational in January 1991 at the onset of Operation Desert Storm. Seven B-52s, from Barksdale AFB, La., launched 35 missiles at designated launch points in the U. S. Central Command's area of responsibility to attack high-priority targets in Iraq. These "round-robin" missions marked the beginning of the air campaign for Kuwait's liberation and are the longest known aircraft combat sorties in history (more than 14,000 miles and 35 hours of flight).[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Prior to the 2nd Gulf War, CALCM's most recent employment occurred in Sept. 1996 during Operation Desert Strike. In response to Iraq's continued hostilities against the Kurds in northern Iraq, the Air Force launched 13 CALCMs in a joint attack with the Navy. This mission has put the CALCM program in the spotlight for future modifications.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]In 1996 and 1997, 200 additional CALCMs were produced from excess ALCMs. These missiles, designated Block I, incorporate improvements such as a larger and improved conventional payload (3,000 pound blast class), a multi-channel GPS receiver and integration of the buffer box into the GPS receiver. The upgraded avionics package was retrofitted into all existing CALCM (Block 0) so all AGM-86C missiles are electronically identical.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]The AGM-86D CALCM Block II is equipped with a new Lockheed Martin 540 kg (1200 lb) AUP (Advanced Unitary Penetrator) penetrating warhead for use against deeply buried and/or hardened targets. The first flight test of an AGM-86D occurred in November 2001, and it is currently planned to produce almost 200 CALCMs as AGM-86Ds. [/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2]Primary Function: Air-to-ground strategic cruise missile Contractor: Boeing Defense and Space Group. Guidance Contractors: Litton Guidance and Control, and Interstate Electronics Corp. (AGM-86C model) Power Plant: Williams Research Corp. F-107-WR-10 turbofan engine Thrust: 600 pounds Length: 20 feet, 9 inches (6.3 meters) Weight: 3,150 pounds (1,429 kilograms) Diameter: 24.5 inches (62.23 centimeters) Wingspan: 12 feet (3.65 meters) Range: AGM-86C: 600 nautical miles (nominal); classified (specific) Speed: AGM 86C, high subsonic (nominal), classified (specific) Guidance System: AGM 86C, Litton INS element integrated with multi-channel onboard GPS Warheads: AGM-86C; Block 0, 2,000 pound class, and Block I , 3,000 pound class Unit Cost: AGM-86B, $1 million; AGM-86C, additional $160,000 conversion cost Date Deployed: AGM-86C, January 1991 Inventory: AGM-86C, 239, Block 0, 41; Block I, 198 [/SIZE][/FONT] [CENTER][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=2][B]:):):):):):):):) [/B][/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER] [/QUOTE]

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