Longbow (ALBM)
American abortive air-launched ballistic missile
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The Longbow air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) was a 1970s attempt by the United States Air Force to create an ALBM which could be carried and launched by strategic bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress or a dedicated "cruise missile carrying aircraft." Intended to serve as both an air-to-ground and ultra-long range air-to-air missile, the Longbow was ultimately cancelled in the early 1980s.
| Longbow | |
|---|---|
 Basic blueprint of the Longbow | |
| Type | Air-launched ballistic missile intended for use as an anti-radar and ultra long-range air-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| In service | Development began in the 1970s and was ultimately cancelled in the early 1980s |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | None selected |
| No. built | Unknown, possibly none |
| Specifications | |
| Engine | Unknown; Speculated to be a two-stage system |
| Propellant | Multi-stage rocket |
Operational range | Up to 2,300 mi (3,700 km) |
| Maximum speed | At least 2,600 mph (4,200 km/h) (Mach 3.5) |
Guidance system | Unknown; Presumed to utilize a passive radiation-seeker plus some form of mid-course guidance such as Navstar (GPS) |
Launch platform | Strategic bombers |
Development
The Longbow was a very long-range air-launched missile planned to be carried by the B-52 Stratofortress;[1][2] It could be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads, with the B-52 being capable of carrying up to 16 at one time.[3] The missile was allegedly capable of engaging both ground and air targets[4] and would have had a range of up to 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometres),[5] though it is unclear how such a missile would have been guided against targets (particularly aerial targets) out to such ranges.[6] Speculation of guidance mechanics included the use of Navstar satellites coupled with various seekers for the terminal phase.[7] The Longbow would likely loft to extremely high-altitudes (where drag would be minimal) to attain its extreme ranges.[8]
The Longbow would have likely utilized a two-stage engine system,[9] was roughly 20 feet (6.1 metres) long, and weighed around 4,000–5,000 pounds (1,800–2,300 kilograms).[10]
The Longbow ALBM was distinct from the 1960s GAM-67 Crossbow, though both missiles were air-to-ground/air-to-air capable and both were intended to be launched from large airframes.[11]