The Hughes AIM-26 Falcon was a larger, more powerful version of the AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missile. It is notable for being the only U.S. guided air-to-air weapon with a nuclear warhead.

Development

Starting in 1956 Hughes Electronics began the development of an enlarged version of the GAR-1D Falcon that would carry a nuclear warhead. It was intended to provide a sure kill in attacks on Soviet heavy bomber aircraft. The original development was for semi-active radar homing and heat-seeking versions based on the conventional GAR-1/GAR-2 weapons, under the designations GAR-5 and GAR-6, respectively. The program was cancelled, but was revived in 1959.

The resultant GAR-11 (later AIM-26A) entered service in 1961, carried by Air Defense Command F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors. It used a radar proximity fuse and SARH homing.

The GAR-11 used a sub-kiloton (250 tonne) W54 warhead shared with the 'Davy Crockett' M-388 recoilless rifle projectile. Sources that indicate it shared the larger W25 warhead of the MB-1 Genie nuclear rocket are apparently incorrect.

Out of concern for the obvious problems inherent in using nuclear weapons over friendly territory, a conventional version of the GAR-11, the GAR-11A, was developed, using a 40 lb (18.1 kg) conventional high-explosive warhead.

After 1963 the weapon was redesignated AIM-26. The nuclear version became AIM-26A, the conventional model AIM-26B. From 1970 to 1972 the nuclear warheads of the AIM-26A weapons were rebuilt for the nuclear version of the AGM-62 Walleye glide bomb.

The AIM-26 saw little widespread use in USAF service, retiring in 1972. The conventional AIM-26B was exported to Switzerland, however, as the HM-55, where it was used on Swiss Mirage IIIS fighters. The AIM-26B was produced under license in Sweden as the Rb 27, arming Saab Draken and later Saab Viggen fighters. It was retired by the early 1990s.

Specifications (GAR-11/AIM-26A)

• Length: 84.25 in (2.14 m)
• Wingspan: 24.4 in (62 cm)
• Diameter: 11.4 in (29 cm)
• Weight: 203 lb (92.1 kg)
• Speed: Mach 2
• Range: 6 miles (9.6 km)
• Guidance: semi-active radar homing
• Warhead: W54 nuclear, explosive yield 250T

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