U.S. considered converting 747 jumbo jets to arsenal planes with cruise missiles fired from rotary launchers
WASHINGTON – The Boeing 747 Cruise Missile Carrier Aircraft (CMCA) might have used the AGM-86 air-launched cruise missile, which was developed for long-range standoff attack beyond the reach of enemy anti-aircraft missiles. 1945 reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
16 Dec. 2021 -- Boeing started with a 747-200C convertible airliner with a nose cargo door that could be opened to remove the seats and leave the interior empty, as well as to bring large weapons payloads on board.
While the B-52 could carry 20 of these cruise missiles, the 747 CMCA could carry a whopping 72 in its fuselage on nine rotary launchers, each loaded with eight AGM-86 cruise missiles. The missiles would be fired one at a time from the side door near the rear of the aircraft, with each rotary launcher sliding back into firing position as needed.
These cruise missiles would leverage a satellite data link to receive target information while the 747 was airborne, or target information could be relayed from a command and control team stationed just behind the cockpit of the aircraft in the area usually reserved for first-class passengers.
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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
