AIR LAUNCHED CRUISE MISSILE

Abstract

The AGM-86B, Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), is a subsonic, air-to-surface strategic nuclear missile, operational since 1982. Armed with a W-80 warhead, it is designed to evade air and ground-based defenses in order to strike targets at any location within any enemy's territory. The ALCM is designed for B-52H internal and external carriage. A Service Life Extension Plan (SLEP) was developed to meet an AF Long Range Plan requirement to extend ALCM Service Life to FY30. The results of Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) studies identified system components that cannot be sustained beyond the initial missile service life. The current system is experiencing obsolescence of parts/components. Missile components and support equipment are becoming non-supportable. Service Life Extension of this critical weapon is essential to meet Air Combat Command (ACC) and United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) commitments (also known as OPLAN 8010). The W-80 LEP replaces warhead components to extend its service life. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is responsible for most of the refurbishment costs associated with the W-80 warhead. The Air Force was responsible for funding ALCM W-80 integration. Integration included evaluation of interface control changes as part of the Initial Concept Design (ICD), missile testing, and logistics requirements necessary to support a First Production Unit (FPU) delivery in 2008. The W-80 LEP program has been archived. Aging and surveillance program for ALCM critical components such as those in the safe arm and fuze subsystem, navigation/guidance system, and electrical/power distribution system. This is needed to identify aging trends prior to failures in fielded components that would result in fleet-wide reliability and supportability problems. Analysis of alternatives (AOA) is in development for the future of long range strategic stand-off vehicles. These programs are in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development, due to efforts supporting a fielded, post Milestone III operational weapon system.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2011
• Source ID: 0101122F_7_3600_PB_2011
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2010 President's Budget submittal did not reflect FY 2011 through FY 2015 funding. Therefore, explanation of changes between the two budget positions cannot be made in a relevant manner."
• Service Agency Name: Air Force

Entities

Organizations

• United States Air Force

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Air Force
• Air Launched
• Cost Analysis
• Costs
• Cruise Missiles
• Engineering
• Flight Testing
• Ground Based
• Navigation
• Standoff Missiles
• Surveillance
• Test And Evaluation
• United States
• United States Strategic Command
• Warfare
• Weapon Systems
• Weapons

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Missile Defense Systems.