Bold Orion

Bold Orion
Bold Orion, with B-47 launch aircraft
Type	Air-launched ballistic missile
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1958–1959
Used by	United States Air Force
Production history
Designed	1958
Manufacturer	Martin Aircraft
No. built	12
Specifications (Two-stage version)
Length	37 feet (11 m)
Diameter	31 inches (0.79 m)
Engine	First stage, Thiokol TX-20 Sergeant; 1,500 lbf (6.66 kN) Second stage, ABL X-248 Altair; 2,800 lbf (12.45 kN)
Propellant	Solid fuel
Operational range	1,100 miles (1,800 km)
Launch platform	B-47 Stratojet

The Bold Orion missile, also known as Weapons System 199B (WS-199B), was a prototype air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) developed by Martin Aircraft during the 1950s. Developed in both one- and two-stage designs, the missile was moderately successful in testing, and helped pave the way for development of the GAM-87 Skybolt ALBM. In addition, the Bold Orion was used in early anti-satellite weapons testing, performing the first interception of a satellite by a missile.