Editing GAM-87 Skybolt (section)

==Description==
The GAM-87 was powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket motor. The missile was fitted with a tailcone to reduce drag while on the pylon, which was ejected shortly after being dropped from the plane. After first stage burnout, the Skybolt coasted for a while before the second stage ignited. First stage control was by eight movable tail fins, while the second stage was equipped with a gimballed nozzle.

Guidance was entirely by inertial platform. The current position was constantly updated from the host aircraft through accurate fixes, meaning that the accuracy of the platform inside the missile was not as critical.

B-52s were to carry four missiles, two under each wing on the weapons pylon with a dual launcher adapter with the missiles slightly staggered (inboard missile slightly ahead of the outboard missile).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Trevithick |first1=Joseph |title=The B-52 Almost Got An Ahead Of Its Time Air-Launched Ballistic Missile Named Skybolt |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/31868/the-b-52-almost-got-an-ahead-of-its-time-air-launched-ballistic-missile-named-skybolt |website=The Drive 23 January 2020 |date=23 January 2020 |access-date=12 April 2020 |archive-date=12 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412171337/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/31868/the-b-52-almost-got-an-ahead-of-its-time-air-launched-ballistic-missile-named-skybolt |url-status=live }}</ref> The Vulcan carried two missiles, one each on smaller underwing pylons.