Delta Force
Banned
The AIM-68 Quetzalcoatl/Big Q was intended as a replacement for the AIR-2 Genie nuclear rocket. It would have been faster (Mach 4 vs. Mach 3), longer ranged (over 40 miles vs. 6 miles) and lighter (500 pounds vs. 800 pounds) than the Genie, and would have been armed with a 0.5 kiloton warhead, possibly the W30. Although smaller than the 1.5 kiloton W25 on the Genie, the focus was more on intercepting single bombers, and possibly maneuvering aircraft.
As interesting as a replacement for the Genie would have been, I'm thinking a conventional variant could have been even more interesting as a replacement or supplement for the AIM-7 Sparrow, as it would have higher or comparable speed and range while carrying a heavier warhead in a more compact (although somewhat heavier) design. The main issue is that the AIM-68 would have used guidance systems from the AIM-4 Falcon, but perhaps that would have lead to both the AIM-68, AIM-4, and/or the AIM-26 Falcon receiving some of the improved guidance systems planned for the Falcon, rather than being abandoned in favor of the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
So I'm wondering, could the AIM-68 Big Q and improved variants of the AIM-4 Falcon and/or AIM-26 Falcon have been viable alternatives to the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow used by the United States Navy and eventually adopted by the Air Force instead of the Falcon missiles?
As interesting as a replacement for the Genie would have been, I'm thinking a conventional variant could have been even more interesting as a replacement or supplement for the AIM-7 Sparrow, as it would have higher or comparable speed and range while carrying a heavier warhead in a more compact (although somewhat heavier) design. The main issue is that the AIM-68 would have used guidance systems from the AIM-4 Falcon, but perhaps that would have lead to both the AIM-68, AIM-4, and/or the AIM-26 Falcon receiving some of the improved guidance systems planned for the Falcon, rather than being abandoned in favor of the AIM-9 Sidewinder.
So I'm wondering, could the AIM-68 Big Q and improved variants of the AIM-4 Falcon and/or AIM-26 Falcon have been viable alternatives to the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow used by the United States Navy and eventually adopted by the Air Force instead of the Falcon missiles?