McDonnell ADM-20 Quail Decoy

The McDonnell ADM-20 Quail was a subsonic, jet powered, air-launched decoy cruise missile built by McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. The Quail was designed to be launched by the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bomber and its original Air Force designation was GAM-72 (GAM standing for Guided Aircraft Missile)

Although originally planned for deployment with the B-47 and the B-52, the GAM-72A was only deployed with the B-52.

The first production GAM-72A was delivered to the 4135th Strategic Wing, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida on September 13, 1960. Initial operational capability was reached on February 1, 1961 when the first squadron of the 4135th Strategic Wing was equipped with the GAM-72A. On January 1, 1962 B-52 aircraft carried the GAM-72A decoy on airborne alert for the first time. Full operational capability was reached when the GAM-72A was deployed with the fourteenth and final B-52 squadron on April 15, 1962.

The operational version of the GAM-72 carried internal radar reflectors facing forward and to each side of the aircraft. Up to 100 lb (45 kg) of payload could be accommodated internally by the GAM-72. This internal space could be used to house a radar repeater or a chaff dispenser. An infrared burner in the tail could produce intense heat to simulate the heat signature of a bomber. The GAM-72 was not armed.

Eight GAM-72A decoys could be accommodated in the B-52s weapons bay but the normal decoy load was two.

Ground radar continued to improve, and the GAM-72B now "ADM-20C"s effectiveness decreased over time. The AGM-69 Short Range Attack Missile(SRAM) allowed bombers to attack air-defense systems from a distance. By 1971, the USAF no longer considered the ADM-20C a credible decoy. The commander of the Strategic Air Command wrote the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force "that the Quail was only slightly better than nothing." The last ADM-20C operational test was flown at Eglin Air Force Base on July 13, 1972. On June 30, 1978, the last ADM-20C came off alert status. The last ADM-20C was removed from the United States Air Force inventory on December 15, 1978.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• McDonnell
• ADM-20
• Quail
• air-launched
• decoy
• cruise
• missile
• GAM-72
• Boeing
• B-52
• Stratofortress

[rhblakeman]

@hardwirecars Even if the B-52 had a conventional load on it kept the plane from being tracked properly by radar, preventing radar guided SAM (surface to air) missiles from taking the B-52 out and not delivering it's payload. Newer bombers have radar reducing or stealthing technology now but the B-52 shows up like a thunderstorm on a weather radar. Reflects radar as well as the old buffed aluminum ones reflected the sun.

[rhblakeman]

@IC2720 When the AGM-129A Advanced Cruise Missile first came out it had visual security and we had disfiguring covers that had to be on it whenever it was outside the secure areas, even the training missiles at the base I taught the systems at as a technical instructor. Since the technology back then for the Quail being compromised might allow the Soviets to get the upper hand with a similar system they likely covered them for visual reasons. The TU-95 Bear could make use of the same decoy tech.

[hardwirecars]

may be for some secrecy, every one knows a b52 carrys a nuke in its payload but i bet no one knew it had that little guy (and thats probly how the gov wanted it)

[IC2720]

When I was in the Air Force, the Quail that were being loaded onto the B52's were covered with a tarp while in transport, and taken across the runways as far as possible from the base perimeter fence. On the other hand, the nukes would be convoyed around airfield which took them right past the highway running along side the base, with no cover on them. I always thought that was a bit odd.

[jasong19711]

True

but Conspiracy Theory fanatics rarely operate

on facts!

[rhblakeman]

Quail has been out of service for decades now since the last was deactivated in 12/78 and the maintenance crews were retrained into other missile fields - I worked with quite a few ex-Quail troops when I was in tactical missiles till 81. The few remaining are gutted display missiles. A Quail is only about 1200 lbs fueled so it really wouldn't / couldn't do the same as an airliner.

[jasong19711]

I cannot believe that some conspiracy idiot has not posted "this is what hit the towers on 9-11" as they do under most missile videos!

lmao!