General Dynamics BGM-109G
General Dynamics/McDonnell-Douglas BGM-109G Gryphon
The cruise missile has become one of the preferred weapons of the United States military over the last 20 years. The Gryphon is a mobile Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) designed to serve as a tactical nuclear weapon in Europe. It is virtually identical to the non-nuclear Tomahawk cruise missiles used by the United States in several Middle East conflicts. Beginning in 1983 BGM-109Gs were stationed in England, Belgium, Germany and Italy. They were wildly unpopular with the populations of these countries and large protests were held in all four nations. In 1987, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty which called for the elimination of the Gryphon and similarly ranged Soviet missiles. This treaty marked the first ever reduction in nuclear forces. The last of them were deactivated in 1991 and all but a handful that were saved for museums were destroyed.
| Wingspan | 8 ft 7 in. |
Wingspan |
| Length | 18 ft 2 in. |
Length |
| Height | 1 ft 9 in. |
Diameter |
| Weight | 2,650 lbs (loaded) |
Weight |
| Max. Speed | 500 MPH |
Maximum Speed |
| Service Ceiling | 500 ft |
Service Ceiling |
| Range | 1,500 miles |
Range |
| Booster Motor | One Atlantic Research solid-fuel rocket booster with 7,000 pounds of thrust |
Booster Motor |
| Engines | One Williams International F107-WR-102 turbofan with 600 pounds of thrust |
Engine |
| Crew | One 80 kiloton W-84 nuclear warhead |
Warhead |
Manufacturers
General Dynamics/McDonnell-Douglas
Markings
United States Air Force, 1983
Serial Number
12436C0001
Designation
BGM-109G