Blue Steel (missile)
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The Avro Blue Steel was a British air-launched, rocket-propelled nuclear armed standoff missile, built to arm the V bomber force. It allowed the bomber to launch the missile against its target while s
Avro Blue Steel nuclear missile (front) at the Midland Air Museum
Avro Blue Steel missile (side view) at the Midland Air Museum behind the wing of an Avro Vulcan bomber
Rear view of Blue Steel missile at RAF Cosford aerospace museum, showing the twin-chamber "Stentor" rocket motor
AEC Mandator Blue Steel tender at RAF Museum, Hendon
GAM-87 Skybolt
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The Douglas GAM-87 Skybolt, redesignated AGM-48 under the 1963 Tri-service system, was an air-launched ballistic missile developed by the United States during the late 1950s. The basic concept was to
Blue Steel (missile)
…greatly eroded the advantages of the design. A longer-range version, Blue Steel II, was considered, but cancelled in favour of the much longer-range GAM-87 Skybolt system from the US. When development of that system was cancelled in 1962, the V-bomber fleet was considered highly vulnerable. Blue Steel remained the…
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Skybolt at Royal Air Force Museum Midlands Showing the RAF roundel and the manufacturer (Douglas Aircraft) logo. It carries the tail-cone fairing that reduces drag in flight.
Avro Vulcan and B-52 over Edwards Air Force Base
The tail section of the Skybolt at RAF Museum Midland, showing the tail fins