AGM-69 SRAM

The Boeing AGM-69 SRAM (Short-range attack missile) was a nuclear air-to-surface missile designed to replace the older AGM-28 Hound Dog stand-off missile.

The requirement for the weapon was issued by the Strategic Air Command of the USAF in 1964, and the resultant AGM-69A SRAM entered service in 1972. It was carried by the B-52, the FB-111A, and, for a very short period starting in 1986, by the B-1Bs based at Dyess AFB in Texas. SRAMs were also carried by the B-1Bs based at Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota, and McConnell AFB in Kansas up until late 1993.

SRAM had an inertial navigation system as well as a radar altimeter which enabled the missile to be launched in either a semi-ballistic or terrain-following flight path. The SRAM was also capable of performing one "major maneuver" during its flight which gave the missile the capability of reversing its course and attacking targets that were behind it, sometimes called an "over-the-shoulder" launch. The missile had a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of about 1,400 ft (430 m). The SRAM used a single W69 nuclear warhead with a variable yield of 170 or 210 kilotons. The aircrew could turn a switch on the Class III command to select the destructive yield required.

The SRAM missile was completed coated with 2cm of soft rubber, used to absorb radar energy and also dissipate heat during flight. The three fins on the tail were made of a phenolic material, also designed to minimize any reflected radar energy. All electronics, wiring, and several safety devices were routed along the top of the missile, inside a raceway.

On the B-52, SRAMs were carried externally on 2 wing pylons (6 missiles on each pylon) and internally on an eight-round rotary launcher mounted in the bomb bay; maximum loadout was 20 missiles. The B-1B could carry 8 missiles on up to three rotary launchers (one in each of its three stores bays) for a maximum loadout of 24 missiles. The FB-111A could carry two missiles internally and four more missiles under the aircraft's swing-wing. On the FB-111A, the externally-mounted missiles required the addition of a tailcone to reduce aerodynamic drag during supersonic flight. Upon rocket motor ignition, this tailcone was blown away by the exhaust plume.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• AGM-69
• SRAM
• Short-range
• attack
• missiles
• nuclear
• Strategic
• Air
• Command
• USAF

[Joseph565112]

170 Kt?...thats about 10x Hiroshima....

Let's test it on Afghanistan, that place is hopeless anyway

[RDesrocks]

Spent most of my enlistment at Mather AFB Sacto , Ca . SRAM IMF in the WSA . I created a page on Facebook called "I worked on the AGM-69A" . I have been waiting for posts on it .

[RDesrocks]

Mapman , I went through Chanute AFB , and trained to be a 31632t in 1974 .

[mapman523]

I was in the first military taught class in January 1972 and then went to K.I. Sawyer in June.  We had a lot of work getting things going till we went operational a few months later. Then I worked in SRAM Analysis. Left in summer of 73 and went back to Chanute to be an instructor. Left Chanute in 76 and went back to Davis Monthan and back on Titan II launch crew. I was a 316X0T and 316X0F..

[JetMechMA]

I remember the SRAMs from the early '80s. Like 46ace said, the B-52 was TOTALLY under appreciated when it carried the SRAM. Most looked down on the B-52 as outdated, but in reality the B-52 would have laid waste to everything in it's path with those SRAMS and then dropped those big ugly gravity nukes on the primary and secondary targets. In my opinion, the movie Fail Safe was exactly the way it would have gone down in real life. Our guys would have gotten through no matter what.

[rhblakeman]

@PGseanB Message me direct, wondering who you are - cant tell by your user name. I left McConnell in 95 - took a year early voluntary retirement in mid 95.

[PGseanB]

Blakeman... I remember you... I was stationed at McConnell AFB 89-94 worked as a 466x0... IMF and 8 packs.... Old memories.

[rhblakeman]

@46ace Haven't heard the term IMF in a long danged time. Where were you stationed? I was a 316x1L till I got back from Iceland then they sent me to Chanute from jan-aug of 83 to retrain as a 316X0T then I went to Plattsburgh with the FB-111A, then I went back to Chanute in Aug 85 for instructor duty till it closed in 93. Had 3 yrs left so I swapped Barksdale for McConnell and retired from SRAM and B-1Bs and the WSA and IMF. I miss it sometimes, but really just miss the people I worked with.

[46ace]

@rhblakeman Hi, (an IMF "463") here; ,Spent4 years on the agm69A Built many an "8-pack" (full rotary launcher)

Aint you tube grand ? Nice seeing my old friends zooming along to the target here.The buff is a completely under appreciated airframe!":

To err is human ; to forgive is not SAC policy"...

[rhblakeman]

Worked on these in the field and as a technical instructor - coated in that wonderful ablative silicone coating and had a nose fuse and fins made of phenolic - amazing that it flew with it's computer made by Singer (well actually Singer Kearfott). Badassed look to it though when a rotary launcher full of them was stuffed into the bomb bay of a B-52 or B-1B. Solid propellant cruise missile, about a ton of propellant.