| AGM-129 (Advanced Cruise Missile) |
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| AGM-129 (Advanced Cruise Missile) |
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Country: USA
Type: Cruise missile
Introduction: 1990 |
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The Raytheon AGM-129 ACM (Advanced Cruise Missile) is a low observable, sub-sonic, turbo-fan powered, air-launched cruise missile built by Raytheon Missile Systems. The AGM-129A is carried exclusively by US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress bombers.
In 1982 the US Air Force began studies for a new cruise missile with low-observable characteristics after it became clear that existing cruise missiles would have difficulty penetrating future air defense systems. The solution determined was to incorporate various low-observable (stealth) technologies into a new Advanced Cruise Missile system.
The first test missile flew in July 1985 and the first production missiles were delivered to the US Air Force in 1987. The development program experienced software problems, quality control problems, scheduling problems, and testing mishaps. By 1990 the ACM was in service and there were plans to replace all previous USAF AGM-86B cruise missiles with the new cruise missile. However, the end of the Cold War led a major cutback in total ACM procurement. A total of 461 missiles were ultimately produced. The AGM-129A like the AGM-86B is armed with a W80-1 variable yield nuclear warhead.
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| General Information |
| Developed by |
USA |
| Deployed by |
USA |
| Development Year |
1983 |
| Deployment Year |
1990 |
| Retire Year |
remain in service until 2030 |
| Platform |
B-52H(8 on internal rotary launcher and a further 12 on underwing pylons),B-1B,B-2 |
| Launcher |
common strategic rotary launcher(CSRL) or external pylons |
| Number deployed |
460(procurement) |
| Contractor |
Hughes Missile Systems(now Raytheon Missile Systems)(prime),McDonnell Douglas Missile Systems(second) |
| Dimensions and Performance |
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Length |
6.35m |
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Body Diameter |
64cm(height), 70.4cm(width) |
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Wing/Fin span |
3.12m |
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Launch Weight |
1,250kg |
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Range |
3,000km |
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Speed |
Subsonic |
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Accuracy |
under 30m CEP |
| Components |
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Propulsion |
Turbofan(732 lbs of thrust) |
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Engine |
Williams International F-112-WR-100 high-bypass turbofan engine |
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Payload |
136kg single warhead |
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Warhead |
200kT nuclear(W80-1) or HE |
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Guidance |
inertial navigation with terrain contour matching and laser Doppler velocimeter updates |
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