AGM-86B/C/D Missiles

Also known as

AGM-86
AGM-86 ALCM
AGM-86 CALCM
ALCM
CALCM

The AGM-86B/C/D missiles are Boeing-built U.S. air-launched cruise missiles carried by B-52H bombers. The B variant is nuclear-capable, while the C and D variants carry conventional blast/fragmentation or penetrating warheads, and a B-52H can load 20 missiles across external pylons and an internal rotary launcher.

AGM-86B/C/D Missiles, Air-launched cruise missile family, Munitions

Image source: AGM-86B/C/D Air-launched Cruise Missile | Wikimedia Commons

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Boeing Defense and Space Group
Type: Air-launched cruise missile family
Service note: Cold War to present
Designed: February 1974-January 1977
Unit cost: AGM-86B: about $1 million; AGM-86C conversion: about $160,000; AGM-86D conversion: about $896,000.
Number built: 1,715 AGM-86B missiles; 200 AGM-86C conversions; 34 AGM-86D missiles

Specifications

Propulsion: Williams Research Corp. F-107-WR-10 turbofan engine
Guidance: AGM-86B terrain-contour-matching inertial guidance; AGM-86C/D GPS-aided inertial navigation
Range: AGM-86B: 1,500+ miles; AGM-86C: 600 nautical miles nominal
Speed: AGM-86B: about 550 mph (Mach 0.73); AGM-86C/D: high subsonic nominal
Warheads: AGM-86B nuclear payload; AGM-86C blast/fragmentation warhead; AGM-86D penetrating warhead

Variants

AGM-86A prototype
AGM-86B
AGM-86C CALCM
AGM-86D CALCM

Carrier Aircraft

The Air Force fact sheet identifies the B-52H Stratofortress as the carrier aircraft for the AGM-86B/C/D family.

Carrier	Carrier type	Carriage evidence
B-52 Stratofortress	Long-range heavy bomber	The fact sheet says B-52H bombers carry six AGM-86B/C/D missiles on each of two externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary launcher, for a maximum of 20 missiles per aircraft. Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles \| U.S. Air Force

Carrier

Carrier type

Carriage evidence

B-52 Stratofortress

Long-range heavy bomber

The fact sheet says B-52H bombers carry six AGM-86B/C/D missiles on each of two externally mounted pylons and eight internally on a rotary launcher, for a maximum of 20 missiles per aircraft.

Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force

Timeline

AGM-86B/C/D Missiles Key Events

Feb 1, 1974
AGM-86A development begins
In February 1974, the Air Force solicited development and flight-test proposals for a prototype AGM-86A.
Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force
Jan 1, 1977
AGM-86B full-scale development starts
The Air Force started full-scale development of the AGM-86B in January 1977.
Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force
Dec 1, 1982
AGM-86B becomes operational
The AGM-86B entered operational service in December 1982.
Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force
Jan 1, 1991
AGM-86C CALCM enters service
The conventional AGM-86C variant became operational in January 1991.
Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force
Mar 1, 2019
CALCM retirement
Air Force Global Strike Command retired the CALCM weapon system in early spring 2019.
Sources: AGM-86B/C/D Missiles | U.S. Air Force

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: AGM-86B entered operational service in December 1982; AGM-86C in January 1991; AGM-86D in November 2001, with CALCM retired in 2019.
Used by: United States Air Force

Media