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In 1958, Hughes started to develop the AN/ASG-18 fire-control system (FCS)
for the forthcoming North American
F-108 Rapier long-range Mach 3+
interceptor. The missile component of the system was to be a large derivative of
the AIM-4 Falcon missile family, designated
GAR-9, which was to have a range of more than 160 km (100 miles). The
large radar of the AN/ASG-18 was to provide target illumination for the
semi-active radar mid-course guidance. For terminal homing, the GAR-9 was
equipped with an infrared seeker. The GAR-9 was powered by a storable
liquid-fuel rocket motor, and for some time, a low-yield nuclear W-42 warhead
was envisioned, but eventually a conventional HE warhead was used.
For improvement of the FCS the flying laboratory bomber Convair
B-58 Hustler (factory number 55-665) was used
When the F-108 was cancelled in 1959, the USAF looked for a replacement and
found the Lockheed
А-12 "Blackbird" reconnaissance plane. It was decided
to developed an interceptor derivative, designated YF-12A, which would use the
AN/ASG-18 FCS and the GAR-9 missile. In 1963 the XGAR-9 prototype missile
was redesignated XAIM-47A, and in the same year, flight tests of the
YF-12A and the XAIM-47A began. During the test program, several successful
long-range intercepts of target drones were performed. In 1966 the planned F-12B
production interceptor was cancelled, which also meant the cancellation of the
AIM-47A production missile. About 80 XAIM-47A's had been built, and some
of the technology was used by Hughes to develop the AIM-54 Phoenix
long-range air-to-air missile for the U.S. Navy.
An air-to-ground derivative of the AIM-47 was briefly evaluated as the
XAGM-76A.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Design | Hughes Aircraft Co. |
| Type | AIM-47 (GAR-9) Falcon |
| Тип | long-range air-to-air missile |
| Tracking system | emiactive Radarhoming |
| First launch | 1961 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Lenght, m | 3,81 (3,2) |
| Diameter, m | 0,33 (0,335) |
| Wingspan, m | 0,914 (0,838) |
| Warhead | High-explosive or nuclear W-42 |
| Weight, kg | 360 (365) |
| Power-plant | |
| Engine | Lockheed storable liquid-fuel rocket |
| Trust, kgf | |
| Performance | |
| Speed, m/s (Mach) | (6) |
| Launch range, km | up to 180 (210) |
References and Credits: