| XSM-73 Bull Goose | |
|---|---|
 XSM-73 at Launch | |
| Type | Cruise Missile |
| Service history | |
| In service | Cancelled |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Fairchild |
| Produced | 1957 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8,945 lb (4,057 kg) including booster |
| Length | 33 ft 6 in (10.21 m) |
| Height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
| Wingspan | 24 ft 5 in (7.44 m) |
| Warhead | None |
| Propellant | Thiokol solid-propellant rocket; 50,000 lbf (222 kN) thrust for 3 seconds. |
Operational range | 4,773 mi (7,681 km) |
| Flight ceiling | 50,000 ft (15,200 m) |
| Flight altitude | 50,000 ft (15,200 m) at 3,701 lb (1,679 kg) at Mach 0.85 |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.85 |
Guidance system | Autopilot integrated with a rate integrating gyroscope pre-programmed to turn the SM-73. |
Launch platform | Zero-length ground launcher. |
The Fairchild SM-73 (originally Bull Goose) was a planned sub-sonic, jet-powered, long-range, ground-launched decoy cruise missile. XSM-73 was the designation for the development version. Development began in 1952 with conceptual studies and ended when the program was canceled in 1958 after 15 test flights but before any operational deployment. The operational concept was to base squadrons of XM-73s at various locations in the United States and if necessary launch the aircraft as part of a strategic bomber attack. The aircraft would fly autonomously under inertial guidance towards the target area, using radar reflectors and electronic countermeasures to imitate American bombers and thus confuse and saturate enemy air defenses. The program was cancelled because the missile was not able to simulate a B-52 bomber on radar.