The Falcon family of missiles was the world's first air-to-air guided weapon to enter operational service. Development began in 1947 under the name Project Dragonfly, and the Falcon was first designated XF-98, as it was a "pilotless interceptor." The Air Force decided to build a fire-control radar first and then build the aircraft and weapons around it. Hughes was also selected to build the radar—the E-9 for the F-89H and the MG-10 for the F-102. The Falcon was first tested in 1954 and became operational in 1955. AIM-4A was radar-guided; AIM-4B was infrared-guided. AIM-4F/G, introduced simultaneously in 1960 to provide reduced susceptibility to enemy countermeasures and higher performance, was the primary armament for F-106. Falcon reached initial operational capability with Air Defense Command in mid-1956. The AIM-4F and G were retired along with the F-106 in 1988. AIM-26 was the nuclear-tipped version, using a similar warhead to the AIR-2A Genie, the major difference being that the nuclear Falcon was guided to a specific target, rather than a general area.
| Contractors: | Hughes Aircraft Co. |
| Locations Built: | Tucson, Ariz. |
| Number Built: (USAF) | Approx 60,200 (approx 48,000) |
| First Launch: | 1954 |
| First Flight Model: | YGAR-1 |
| First Flight Location: | Unconfirmed but possibly White Sands Missile Range, N. M. |
| Models/Variants: | GAR-1D (later redesignated AIM-4A) AIM-4B, C, D. AIM-4E, F, G Super Falcon. GAR-11 (later redesignated AIM-26) AIM-26A, B |
| Powerplant: | One Thiokol M46 two-stage solid propellant rocket motor; first stage of 6,000 lb thrust |
| Diameter: | 6-1/2 in. |
| Length: | 7 ft 2 in (AIM-4F); 6 ft 9 in (AIM-4G) |
| Weight: | 150 lb (AIM-4F); 145 lb (AIM-4G) |
| Finspan: | 2 ft 0 in. |
| Armament: | One 40-lb high-explosive conventional warhead (AIM-4F/G) (One W-54 nuclear warhead with a yield in the low kiloton range on AIM-26) |
| Cost: | Unconfirmed |
| Max. Speed: | Approx 1,500 mph |
| Range: | Approx 7 mi. |
| Ceiling: | Limited to carrier aircraft |
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