Longbow (ALBM)
The Longbow air-launched ballistic missile was a 1970s attempt by the United States Air Force to create an ALBM which could be carried and launched by strategic bombers, such as the B-52 Stratofortress or a dedicated "cruise missile carrying aircraft." Intended to serve as both an air-to-ground and ultra-long range air-to-air missile, the Longbow was ultimately cancelled in the early 1980s.
Development
The Longbow was a very long-range air-launched missile planned to be carried by the B-52 Stratofortress; It could be equipped with either conventional or nuclear warheads, with the B-52 being capable of carrying up to 16 at one time. The missile was allegedly capable of engaging both ground and air targets and would have had a range of up to, though it is unclear how such a missile would have been guided against targets out to such ranges. Speculation of guidance mechanics included the use of Navstar satellites coupled with various seekers for the terminal phase. The Longbow would likely loft to extremely high-altitudes to attain its extreme ranges.The Longbow would have likely utilized a two-stage engine system, was roughly long, and weighed around.
The Longbow ALBM was distinct from the 1960s WS-121B Longbow, though both missiles were air-to-ground/air-to-air capable and both were intended to be launched from large airframes.