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This is the AGM-76A, an air-to-ground version of the Falcon missile that usually appeared as an air-to-air weapon. The parachute cord strands attached to it were to see how the air flowed over the missile during aerodynamic tests. The short-lived AGM-76 concept was developed by Hughes Aircraft Company in 1966.

The AIM-47 air-to-air missile was to be converted into a fast, long-range missile called AGM-76 to destroy enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites in North Vietnam before the launch aircraft came into the lethal zone of the SAM missile. But after the AGM-76 concept was approved by the Air Force, the U.S. Navy promoted an air-to-ground version of its existing Standard missile developed for this purpose, and Standard won.

This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1970 by Hughes Aircraft.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Hughes Aircraft Co.
 Physical Description Cylindrical with long delta fins in cruciform pattern extending throughout two thirds of the length of the missile; long, tapering nose to point; air tufts around its body and fins and excluding the tip of the missile; tufts, each about 3.5 inches long, apparently made from cut pieces of parachute cord, and attached to missile body with a type of epoxy putty; some pieces of this cord are red, others white; white pieces attached to blue areas of body for better visibility and red pieces to white or off-white sections; grid pattern marked out in light pencil all over body, consisting of 3 x 5 inches squares, with upper left hand corner or almost each square, with tuft or cord attached; ends of each of the cords, singed, to prevent fraying; missile nose, and rear body, white; forward section, before nose, off-white; overall, with alternating black and orange bands along its length and at three different places around its circumference; nose tip, made partly of wood; back of missile, with flat wooden disc, covering its empty interior. With stenciled markings in black X50X-15 on each fin above the first circumferential band. Also has stenciled markings, "No Lift" at various points, and "AGM 76A" on both sides, at front. Dimensions Overall: 13 ft. 5 in. long x 1 ft. 1 1/2 in. diameter x 2 ft. 9 in. span, 225 lb. (408.94 x 34.29 x 83.82cm, 102.1kg)
 Materials Fuselage, mainly composite fiber material wrapped with adhesive coating, that gave the unpainted structure a yellow-tan color; nose, partly of wood; fins, rear, probably magnesium; fins, front, composite, apparently with a metal base, probably of stainless steel; radome, ceramic material; rear body end, aluminum; air tufts, synthetic fiber, possibly parachute cord; adhesive holding air tufts to bod, apparently an epoxy putty.
 Alternate Name Falcon AGM-76A Missile Inventory Number A19700276000 Credit Line Transferred from the Hughes Aircraft Co. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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