Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 5:55:28-5:59:23

Black Buck Six and the Shrike carried into Brazil

A Vulcan diverted to Rio de Janeiro after Black Buck Six while still carrying an American Shrike anti-radar missile that could not be jettisoned.

AGM-45 ShrikeAvro VulcanBrazilElectronic WarfareFalklands WarOperation Black Buck
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Question

Which American missile was still aboard the Vulcan that diverted to Brazil after a Black Buck mission?

Short answer

It was an AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missile from Black Buck Six, not a Sidewinder.

Notes

The exchange corrects a mistaken memory that the aircraft carried a Sidewinder. Black Buck Six used AGM-45 Shrike anti-radar missiles against Argentine radar. A refuelling or recovery problem forced the Vulcan to divert to Brazil with one Shrike still aboard because it could not be released safely. The diplomatic awkwardness came from landing with an American-supplied weapon, not an air-to-air missile.