Missile AIM-26 Falcon

Development of an enlarged version of the GAR-1D Falcon began in 1956 to ensure the destruction of Soviet heavy bomber aircraft. At the time, guided missiles lacked the accuracy required to guarantee destruction using small conventional warheads. The initial program planned for semi-active radar homing and heat-seeking variants, designated GAR-5 and GAR-6 respectively, but was cancelled. The program was revived in 1959 under the designation GAR-11, entering service in 1961. In 1963, the system was redesignated AIM-26, with the nuclear variant designated AIM-26A and the conventional variant designated AIM-26B.

The missile utilized semi-active radar homing for guidance and was equipped with a radar proximity fuze. The AIM-26A carried a sub-kiloton, 250-ton yield W54 nuclear warhead. Due to concerns regarding the detonation of nuclear weapons over friendly territory, the conventional AIM-26B variant was developed, utilizing an explosive warhead. Between 1970 and 1972, the nuclear warheads from the AIM-26A inventory were rebuilt for use in the AGM-62 Walleye television-guided bomb.

In United States service, the missile was carried by Air Defense Command F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors. It saw limited operational deployment and was retired from U.S. service in 1972. The conventional AIM-26B variant was exported to Switzerland under the designation HM-55, where it armed Mirage IIIS fighters. Sweden manufactured a licensed and modified version of the conventional missile designated the Rb 27, which armed Saab Draken J-35F and 35J fighters until its retirement in 1998. Finland also operated these Swedish-manufactured missiles, which were acquired alongside its purchase of Draken fighters.