BOMARC System

Four BOMARC Missiles in Launch Position {"selectable":false,"height":"400","width":"800"} 0 0 00:00:00 History of the BOMARC Missile System (1959-1972) Langley AFB BOMARC Launch Site The supersonic BOMARC missile was a Surface to Air Missile (SAM) designed to cary 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 cancelled 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 A Model B Model Rocket One Aerojet General LR59-AG-13 liquid rocket One Thiokol XM-51 solid fuel rocket Ramjets Two Marquardt RJ43-MA-3 Two Marquardt RJ43-MA-7 ramjets Wingspan 18 ft 2 in 18 ft 2 in Length 46 ft 10 in 45 ft 1 in Height 10 ft 4 in 10 ft 4 in Diameter 2 ft 11 in 2 ft 11 in Weight 15,619 lbs 16,032 lbs Speed 1,975 mph(Mach 2.8) 1,975 mph(Mach 2.8) Range 260 miles 440 miles Service Ceiling 65,000 ft 100,000 ft Armament W-40 nuclear warhead -or- 1,000 lb conventional high-explosive warhead W-40 nuclear warhead -or- 1,000 lb conventional high-explosive warhead Cost $1,154,000 $1,150,000 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 on line 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. Links: Radomes - Bomarc Missile Sites Wikipedia - CIM-10 Bomarc See Also: SAGE System BOMARC Sites Defense Installations Portal BOMARC Missile Sites (edit list) Site Type State Unit A Model B Model From To GPS Notes McGuire AFB NJ 46th ADMS (BOMARC) 28 56 1959 1972 40.035, -74.441389 Otis AFB MA 26th ADMS (BOMARC) 28 28 1960 1972 41.682222, -70.539167 Langley AFB VA 22nd ADMS (BOMARC) 28 28 1960 1972 37.099167, -76.479722 Suffolk AFB NY 6th ADMS (BOMARC) 56 0 1959 1964 40.833333, -72.680833 Dow AFB ME 30th ADMS (BOMARC) 28 0 1960 1964 44.853056, -68.786389 Niagara Falls AFMS NY 35th ADMS (BOMARC) 0 56 1961 1969 43.1175, -78.946944 Kincheloe AFB MI 37th ADMS (BOMARC) 0 28 1961 1972 46.348056, -84.805 Duluth IAP MN 74th ADMS (BOMARC) 0 28 1960 1972 46.932222, -91.883333 North Bay CFB ON 446 SAM Squadron 0 28 1962 1972 46.429444, -79.471111 La Macaza CFB QC 447 SAM Squadron 0 28 1962 1972 46.411389, -74.768889 Location Approximate Camp Adair AFS OR 0 28 Cancelled 44.702222, -123.2 Charleston AFB SC 0 28 Cancelled Ethan Allen AFB VT 0 28 Cancelled 44.510556, -73.163611 Paine AFB WA 0 28 Cancelled 47.911944, -122.265278 Travis AFB CA 0 28 Cancelled 38.487260, -121.883231 Truax AFB WI 0 28 Cancelled 43.190833, -89.154167 Vandenberg AFB CA 0 28 Cancelled 34.729722, -120.504167