Aircraft & Exhibits, Cosford, Hangar Four, 1987/0048/O
In 1958 several US contractors demonstrated to the USAF that large ballistic vehicles could be launched from strategic bombers at high altitude. The contractors argued that this alternative means of ballistic missile launch overcame the vulnerability of fixed silo launch sites.
In response, the USAF requested specific Air Launched Ballistic Missile, (ALBM) design proposals. As a result, Douglas Aircraft received the prime contract to develop an ALBM, the project initially being known as GAM-87. In 1960 the project was renamed Skybolt and Douglas sub-contracted to Northrop, Aerojet and General Electric.