‘Strategic Weapons Launcher’ “SWL”

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18 years 7 months

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‘Strategic Weapons Launcher’ “SWL”

1n the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the US became very concerned about the growing accuracy of the Soviets new and future ICBM’s and SLBM’s.
This accuracy would threaten the Strategic Air Commands (SACs) fixed ICBM silo fields in a ‘first strike’.
The USAF looked into numerous options to counter this new threat to its primary nuclear delivery system – the Titan and Minuteman ICBM’s
One of the options that was seriously considered by SAC was to air-launch an ICBM from a large aircraft – this eliminating the risk of SAC’s ICBM’s being destroyed on the ground, for the ICBM’s would be airborne around the clock.
So serious was the SAC, that they put out a ‘Request for Proposal’ for a ‘Strategic Weapons Launcher’ (SWL).
The aircraft designs looked at was a modified Boeing B747F and a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy.
I believe that tests were carried out with Minuteman ICBM’s being airdropped and launched in trials from a C-5 Galaxy

Does anyone have pictures / movie clips of these air-drop tests?
Does anyone have pictures or info of other design proposals submitted to the Strategic Weapons Launcher RfP ?

Regards
Pioneer

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18 years 11 months

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If you can track it down there's a picture of a Minuteman missile getting drug out the back of a C-5 in the 1978 edition of The US War Machine. (Don't have it handy)

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18 years 11 months

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There's an image and link on page 1 or 2 of the 'Impressive Weapons Load' thread (aka 'The tbzz thread').

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20 years

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I can't remember what this C-17 is launching but it seems relevant.

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18 years 10 months

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Looks like a gay C17 to me.

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20 years 9 months

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oh purrleeeasee!!!!

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17 years 11 months

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Looks like a gay C17 to me.

:rolleyes: :D