White Sands in Doña Ana County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Crossbow

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

1. Crossbow Marker

Inscription. Crossbow was a long-range cruise missile developed by the Air Force as an anti-radar missile.

Powered by a small turbo-jet air-breathing engine, Crossbow had distinctive straight wings and a twin vertical tail. Only the left vertical fin had a movable rudder. The missile was air-launched from under-wing pylons on B-50 or B-47 bombers. It was equipped with a passive multiple-frequency radar seeker that homed in on hostile ground radar systems. Once the target was detected, the missile dived on it at near sonic speed, and the warhead detonated on impact.

Development of Crossbow began in 1953 as the B-67. This was changed to GAM-67 in 1955 when the Air Force abandoned the use of aircraft designations for guided missiles. The first successful flight of a prototype occurred in July 1956, and the first guided flight took place in May 1957. The Crossbow anti-radar missile program was cancelled in July 1957 due to technical and funding problems.

At White Sands Proving Ground, the Air Force first tested Crossbow in September 1954. Before the program was cancelled in 1957, a total of 19 were launched here.

Length: 19

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feet (6.10 m)
Diameter: 32 inches (81 cm)
Weight: 2,800 pounds (1220 kg)
Propellant: Liquid
Range: 205 miles (480 km)
Velocity: Mach.8
First Fire 1954

Erected by White Sands Missile Range Museum. (Marker Number 94.038.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1957.

Location. 32° 23.155′ N, 106° 28.735′ W. Marker is in White Sands, New Mexico, in Doña Ana County. It is on Wsmr P Rt 1 (New Mexico Route 213) 4 miles south of U.S. 70. The marker and various missiles are located on the grounds of the White Sands Missile Range Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: White Sands Missile Range NM 88002, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Rio Grande Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Gadsden Purchase,

and the Republic of Texas.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this

The Crossbow and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

2. The Crossbow and Marker

marker: QH-50 DASH (here, next to this marker); Hawk (here, next to this marker); Improved Hawk Rocket Test Sled (here, next to this marker); MQM-42 Redhead/Roadrunner Target Drone (here, next to this marker); XM-21 (here, next to this marker); Nike Hercules (a few steps from this marker); Sidewinder (a few steps from this marker); Little John (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Sands.

More about this marker. The marker and museum are located on the White Sands Missile Range, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access.

Also see . . .
1. Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range Museum. White Sands Missile Range Museum (Submitted on August 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

2. GAM-67 Crossbow. Wikipedia

The GAM-67 Crossbow was a turbojet-powered anti-radar missile built by Northrop's Ventura Division, the successor to the Radioplane Company who developed the Crossbow's predecessor, the Q-1 target drone.

(Submitted on August 3, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Closeup of a Crossbow image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, July 23, 2024

3. Closeup of a Crossbow

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 3, 2024, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.