View source for AGM-53 Condor

{{distinguish|Condor (Argentine missile)}}
{{more footnotes|date=September 2016}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=AGM-53 Condor
| image= XAGM-53 Condor missile 1973.jpg
| image_size = 300
|caption=AGM-53 Condor
|origin= United States
|type=[[Air-to-surface missile|Air-to-surface guided missile]]
|manufacturer=[[Rockwell International|Rockwell]]
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=
|engine=[[Rocketdyne]] MK 70 [[solid-fuel rocket]]
|weight={{convert|2100|lb|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|13|ft|10|in}}
|height=
|diameter={{convert|17|in|cm}}
|wingspan={{convert|4|ft|5|in|mm}}
|speed=[[Mach number|Mach]] 2.9
|vehicle_range={{convert|60|nmi|mi km|abbr=on}}
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling={{convert|630|lb|kg}} linear [[shaped charge]] warhead or [[W73 (nuclear warhead)|W73 nuclear warhead]]
|guidance=
|detonation=
|launch_platform=Aircraft
}}

In 1962, the [[U.S. Navy]] issued a requirement for a long-range high-precision air-to-surface missile. The missile, named the '''AGM-53A Condor''', was to use a television guidance system with a data link to the launching aircraft similar to the system of the then projected [[AGM-62 Walleye]].

==Development history==
Because of numerous problems in the development phase, the first flight of an XAGM-53A missile did not occur before March 1970.

On 4 February 1971, in its first live warhead test, a Condor made a direct hit on the ex-US navy destroyer escort {{USS|Vammen|DE-644|6}}, while tests later that year demonstrated the ability to hit targets at a range of {{convert|56|km|nmi mi km|abbr=on|order=out}}.<ref>Pretty 1976, p. 149.</ref> The AGM-53 program was cancelled in March 1976. Its long range and potentially high precision made the Condor a very powerful weapon, but it was much more expensive than contemporary tactical air-to-ground weapons. The secure data link contributed a significant portion to total missile cost, and it certainly didn't help that this link was still somewhat unreliable.

==Description==
[[File:AGM-53A Condor electro-optical missile.jpg|thumb|Diagram of the AGM-53A Condor tactical missile.]]
The Condor was to be a long-range missile to be used for high-precision stand-off attacks. The missile was launched by the strike aircraft from a distance of up to {{convert|60|NM}} to the general target area. When the AGM-53 approached the expected target position, the image of the TV camera in the missile's nose was transmitted back to the operator in the launching aircraft. The operator could switch between wide and narrow field-of-view images to find a suitable target.

As soon as a target for the missile had been selected, the operator could either fly the missile manually until impact, or lock the Condor on the target and rely on the missile's capability to home on the final aiming point. The Condor's linear [[shaped charge]] warhead detonated on impact.

A variant of the Condor was anticipated to carry the [[W73 (nuclear warhead)|W73 nuclear warhead]], a derivative of the [[B61 Family|B61]] nuclear bomb. Details on the W73 are poorly documented, and it never entered production or service.

==Operators==
*{{USA}}:  The AGM-53 was cancelled before entering service.

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category}}

*Friedman, Norman (1983). ''US Naval Weapons''. Conway Maritime Press.
*Gunston, Bill (1979). ''The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles''. Salamander Books Ltd.
*Pretty, R.T; Archer, D.H.R. (eds.) (1973). ''Jane's Weapon Systems 1972&ndash;73''. Jane's Information Group.
*{{cite book |editor-last=Pretty |editor-first=R. T. |title=Jane's Weapon Systems 1977 |year=1976 |location=London |publisher=Jane's Yearbooks |isbn=0-354-00541-3}}

{{USN missiles}}
{{US missiles}}
{{North American Aviation aircraft}}

[[Category:Air-to-surface missiles of the United States|AGM-053]]
[[Category:Abandoned military rocket and missile projects of the United States]]