AGM-129 ACM

The AGM -129 ACM (Advanced Cruise Missile ) is a strategic long-range cruise missiles of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) with stealth technology (English stealth ). It is equipped with a nuclear warhead, and intended for use on B- 52 bombers, which can carry up to twelve pieces each.

The AGM -129 is the successor to the AGM -86 cruise missile in the strategic role and becomes the first cruise missiles at all about a stealth technique similar to that of the B-2 bomber. Development began in August 1982 when the new Russian radar of the MiG -31 fighter aircraft had the look -down capability, and therefore it was assumed that the previous cruise missiles were relatively easy to intercept. For the development of the AGM -129 several tests and revisions were necessary. The U.S. Congress, meanwhile, called for the completion of six successful tests for further funding of the program. The first test was carried out subsequently in June 1987 in California, and until the spring of 1988 only three tests were completed. Congress has subsequently reduced the budget to 510.7 million U.S. dollars for the financial year 1988-1989. The Washington Post reported in June 1988 on the cost of the Advanced Cruise Missile program in the amount of 5 billion U.S. dollars and the assembly of nuclear warheads up to 7 billion U.S. dollars. After production of 460 missiles in 1993 the production lines were closed.

According to the 2002 expired START II agreement were not allowed to be worn by stealth bombers stealth missile, which is why the AGM -129 is only available for the B -52. Originally, the cruise missiles should remain in service until 2030. On October 17, 2006, however, the Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld ordered the USAF, phase out the AGM -129. Six pieces are removed from the herd per month in fiscal year 2013, all missiles of this type should be shut down. However, in its current budget plan until 2013, the Air Force provides for 1.1 million U.S. $ for the financing of measures to maintain the operational deployment capability of 38 cruise missiles. When removal of the missiles came on 30 July 2007 at an incident when a B -52 six out of twelve AGM -129 unnoticed along with their nuclear warheads from Minot Air Force Base ( North Dakota) to Barksdale Air Force Base ( Louisiana) flew. After the cruise missiles remained unguarded for a day at the airport.