General Dynamics/McDonnell-Douglas BGM-109G Gryphon

A picture of the 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.

Length

18 ft 2 in.

Diameter

1 ft 9 in.

Weight

2,650 lbs (loaded)

Maximum Speed

500 MPH

Service Ceiling

500 ft

Range

1,500 miles

Booster Motor

One Atlantic Research solid-fuel rocket booster with 7,000 pounds of thrust

Engine

One Williams International F107-WR-102 turbofan with 600 pounds of thrust

Warhead

One 80 kiloton W-84 nuclear warhead

Manufacturers
General Dynamics/McDonnell-Douglas

Markings
United States Air Force, 1983

Serial Number
12436C0001

Designation
BGM-109G

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