The supersonic BOMARC missile was a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) designed to carry conventional and nuclear warheads against enemy aircraft. The BOMARC was launched from fixed launchers on prepared concrete sites. When launched the missiles were powered by rocket engines during a climb phase to cruise altitude where a pair of ramjet engines powered it to the target guided by the SAGE System. The final phase was a dive to the target where radar or proximity fuses would detonate the warhead (conventional or nuclear) within range of the target(s).
The original BOMARC program called for 40 sites and 4,800 missiles. That program was reduced several times and only 10 sites reach operational status supporting about 500 missiles. Eight of the operational sites were in the U.S. while two were in Canada. Each site was constructed with fixed launchers in multiples of 28 with the largest sites having 84 launchers. Seven sites were begun but were canceled before they were operational.
Two models were produced:
'A' Model - Liquid-fuel booster electron-tube based guidance radar and computer. Boeing/MARC CIM-10A
'B' Model - Solid-fuel booster transistor based guidance radar and computer. Boeing/MARC CIM-10B
The 'A' model had to be fueled before launch and required very hazardous liquid fuel. The 'B' model had a solid fuel booster, transistor electronics, and because of the room saved, more ramjet fuel could be carried and it had a longer range.
The BOMARC missile system was integrated into the SAGE System and launches could be controlled by the SAGE direction centers. As the BUIC system came online it also could also control launches and direct the missiles to their targets. As the threat of a Soviet manned bomber attack diminished and the SAGE system declined, the BOMARC system phased out with the 'A' model only sites closing in 1964 and the remaining sites closing 1972.
Sources:
Berhow, Mark, US Strategic and Defensive Missile Systems 1950-2004, Osprey Publishing, 20 Sep 2012, page 62.
