XBradTC

Here’s a promotional video touting the introduction of the AGM-12 Bullpup missile as it was about to enter service.

The Bullpup was very much a first generation guided weapon. The pilot pointed his plane at the target, launched Bullpup, and then, by using a small joystick, attempted to keep the missile centered over the target all the way to impact. Commands were sent via radio link.

With a range of about 3 miles, it wasn’t exactly a true standoff weapon. And the guidance method meant the launching aircraft had to maintain a steady flight path. During operations in Vietnam a few years after Bullpup entered service, that inability to maneuver was seen as the major flaw of the design. It left the launching aircraft very vulnerable to aimed anti-aircraft artillery.

Still, Bullpup was generally quite reliable, and easy to use. It never seriously threatened to replace general purpose bombs as the  primary weapon, but it was used in certain niche roles and missions successfully.