The AIR-2A is an unguided air-to-air rocket with a nuclear warhead. Development began in 1955 by Douglas and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory under the code name "Ding Dong." First launch with a live warhead occurred on July 19, 1957, by a F-89 at an altitude of 15,000 feet over Yucca Flats, Nevada. The rocket was detonated by ground command. USAF observers standing unprotected under ground zero (directly under the burst) suffered no ill effects. The warhead has a yield of 1.5 kt (equivalent to 1,500 tons of TNT) and a lethal radius in excess of 1,000 feet. The Genie was used operationally on the F-106 Delta Dart, F-101B Voodoo and F-89J Scorpion.
Specifications | |
| Length | 9 feet, 8 inches |
| Diameter | 17.5 inches |
| Span | 40 inches |
| Launch weight | 822 lbs. |
| Propulsion | Thiokol TU-289 solid propellant rocket motor, 36,000 lbs. of thrust |
| Speed | 2,100 mph |
| Range | 6.2 miles |
| Ceiling | 50,000 feet |