The CIM-10 was designed as a supersonic, ground-launched missile to intercept large formations of bombers or incoming missiles. Its unusual name came from the two organizations that developed the system, Boeing for the missile (BO) and the University of Michigan's Michigan Aeronautical Research Center (MARC) for the aircraft warning system that linked the launch bases. The Air Force officially characterized all of the early missiles as types of aircraft, so BOMARC, as an interceptor, was originally designated F- 99. However, the tremendous differences in maintenance and operations between fighter aircraft and missiles led to BOMARC's being redesignated IM-99, for "intercept missile," but keeping the fighter-mission design series number. The final redesignation came as the Pentagon added a third letter to the missile series to indicate how the weapons were launched, in this case in a reinforced concrete coffin with a rollback roof. At launch, the roof would roll back, and the missile would be raised to a vertical position and then launched. At launch, the rocket motor would propel the missile to a sufficient speed for the ramjet to operate. The missile was then guided to the vicinity of the target by ground control, where its internal seeker would then take over and guide BOMARC to the target. The CIM-10A was declared operational in 1960. On March 3, 1961, in a full-range operational test, a pair of BOMARCs with conventional warheads were launched from Eglin AFB, Fla., and intercepted both a supersonic GQM-15 Regulus II drone and a subsonic, radio-controlled QB-47 over the Gulf of Mexico. The improved CIM-10B became operational in 1961. By 1969, CIM-10Bs were operational at six Air Force bases in the US and two sites in Canada. Some BOMARCs were modified and flown as supersonic targets and were designated CQM-10Bs. The CIM-10 was phased out of service in October 1972.

Contractors:	Boeing Aircraft Co.
Locations Built:	Seattle, Wash.
Number Built: (USAF)	Approx 700, incl test rounds (approx 700, incl test rounds)
First Launch:	February 24, 1955 (first fully instrumented flight)
First Flight Model:	XF-99
First Flight Location:	Patrick AFB, Fla.
Models/Variants:	IM-99A, B (later redesignated CIM-10A, B)
Powerplant:	One Aerojet General LR59-AG-13 liquid fuel rocket of 35,875 lb thrust and two Marquardt RJ43-MA-3 ramjets of 1,408 lb thrust each (CIM-10A). One Thiokol solid fuel rocket of approx 50,000 lb thrust and two Marquardt RJ43-MA-7 ramjets of 6,000 lb thrust (unconfirmed) each (CIM-10B)
Wingspan:	18 ft 2 in.
Length:	46 ft 10 in.
Height:	10 ft 4 in.
Weight:	15,619 lb.
Warhead:	Primarily one W-40 nuclear warhead with a seven- to 10-kiloton yield; also could be fitted with a conventional warhead
Cost:	$1.15 million
Max. Speed:	1,975 mph
Range:	260 mi.
Ceiling:	65,000 ft.