The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force. Development began in 1946; the weapon was first tested in 1949.

The Hughes AIM-4 Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the United States Air Force. Development of a guided air-to-air missile began in 1946.

The AIM-4D, already briefly mentioned above as GAR-2B, was the final operational development of the AIM-4 Falcon. It combined the smaller airframe of the GAR-2A/AIM-4C with the more modern IR seeker of the GAR-4A/AIM-4G, and was the …

Nov 27, 2020 · The AIM-4A through D variants of the Falcons were all armed with a nearly 8-pound warhead that included just 2.7 pounds of explosive since a missile traveling at a speed of Mach 2-3 was judged to be adequate to bring down a bomber-size target.

Jul 12, 2012 · The first working guided air-to-air missile in the American inventory, the Hughes AIM-4 “Falcon” was the product of 10 years of development that started a year after the end of WWII.

Hughes 1950's USAF air-to-air missile. AKA: AAM-A-2;AIM-4;AIM-4/4A;AIM-4B/C/D;AIM-4E/F;AIM-4G;F-104;F-98;F-98A;GAR-1;GAR-2;GAR-3;GAR-4. Thrust: 1,720.00 kN (386,670 lbf). Gross mass: 50 kg (110 lb). Height: 1.98 m (6.49 ft). Diameter: 0.16 m …

The GAR-11A (AIM-26B) Super Falcon was developed as a conventional counterpart to the GAR-11, at the same time as the GAR-11. It was much larger and heavier than any of the AIM-4 series, and was radar-homing and triggered by a proximity fuze.

American air-to-air missile. AKA: AIM-4B;Falcon;GAR-2;GAR-98A. Status: Operational 1956. Thrust: 16.86 kN (3,790 lbf). Gross mass: 59 kg (130 lb). Height: 2.02 m (6.62 ft). Diameter: 0.16 m (0.52 ft). Span: 0.50 m (1.64 ft). Maximum speed: 3390km/hr. Total Number Built 16,000; Unit cost $ 38,900 in 1986 dollars.

…the AIM-4 (for air-intercept missile) Falcon, the AIM-9 Sidewinder, and the AIM-7 Sparrow. The widely imitated Sidewinder was particularly influential. Early versions, which homed onto the infrared emissions from jet engine tailpipes, could approach only from the target’s rear quadrants.

While the AIM-4D would replace earlier GAR-2A missiles on the F-101B and F-102, the USAF also intended to field the AIM-4D on tactical fighters beginning with the F-4 Phantom II, with an aim towards employing the missile in fighter-on-fighter combat.