Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Hound Dog
The Hound Dog was an air-launched supersonic nuclear missile designed to destroy heavily defended ground targets. Specially modified B-52 bombers carried two Hound Dogs, one beneath each wing. Typically a Hound Dog would be launched at 45,000 feet, climb to over 56,000 feet, cruise to the target area, and then dive to the target. The missile's range of more than 600 miles allowed long-distance "stand-off" launching, which reduced the risk to the B-52. The Hound Dog entered service with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) in December 1959.
The AGM-28B Hound Dog, an advanced version of the A, first flew in May 1961. It incorporated an improved guidance system and had greater range. Almost 700 AGM-28s were built before production ended in 1963. In 1976 the AGM-28 was removed from alert status, and the last Hound Dogs left the U.S. Air Force inventory in 1978.
Technical Notes:
Armament: Thermonuclear warhead
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J52 turbojet of 7,500 lbs. thrust
Cruising speed: 1,200 mph
Range: 785 miles
Operating altitude: 200 ft. to 56,200 ft.
Span: 12 ft. 2 in.
Length: 42 ft. 6 in.
Height: 9 ft. 4 in.
Weight: 10,147 lbs.
Source: United States Air Force
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1961.
Location. 35° 3.933′ N, 106° 32.095′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Kirtland Air Force Base. Marker is on Eubank Boulevard SE south of Southern Boulevard SE, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fee is necessary to access the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albuquerque NM 87123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. B-52B Stratofortress 52-0013 (a few steps from this marker); B-52 Stratofortress (a few steps from this marker); Snark (a few steps from this marker); Mace (a few steps from this marker); Bomarc (within shouting distance of this marker); USS James K. Polk (within shouting distance of this marker); Matador (within shouting distance of this marker); Mk17 Thermonuclear Weapon (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana.