Armament and Weapons

The AIR-2A Genie is an air-to-air rocket with a nuclear warhead designed for use against formations of enemy bombers.  It was the world's first nuclear-armed air-to-air interceptor missile and consequently was the most powerful ever deployed by the United States Air Force.  It has no guidance system and is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor. The AIR-2 (formerly known as the MB-1) was first test-launched in 1956 and became operational in January 1957.  On July 19, 1957, a Genie was launched at 18,000 feet from an F-89J interceptor and detonated over Yucca Flats, Nev.  It was the first and only test detonation of a U.S. nuclear-tipped air-to-air rocket.

The AIR-2A was carried primarily by F-89J, F-101B and F-106A interceptor aircraft.  Thousands were built for the USAF before production ended in 1962.  The weapon stayed in service until 1986, by which time all of its carrier aircraft had been retired from service.

A training version with an inert rocket motor and no nuclear warhead called the ATR-2A was also developed which contained a white-cloud spotting charge instead of a nuclear warhead for practice firings.  These practice rounds were nicknamed "Ting-a-Lings."  A ground training version of the rocket was also produced which contained an inert rocket motor and no nuclear warhead.

The AIR-2B Super Genie was an advanced version of the rocket.

According to the "U.S. Nuclear Weapons" by Chuck Hansen there were 3,150 Genie warheads produced carried by the F-89, F-102, F-101 and F-106.  The Blue striped and Red striped Genie's were inert used for training.   Here is an informative (copyrighted) link to the Air-2 Genie Serial Number TE-04813 at the Pima Air & Space Museum. 

Wing Span: 3 ft 4 in
Length: 9 ft 8 in
Diameter: 17 ½ in
Weight 822 lbs (loaded)
Maximum Speed:  Mach 3.3
Range: 6 miles
Engines: Thiokol SR49-TC-1 solid rocket motor with 36,500 pounds of thrust
Warhead: 1.5 kilotons

Air 2A Low Altitude Escape Maneuvers
[Tom Denton collection]