AIR-2 Genie

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	Weapon: AIR-2 Genie Type: Air-to-Air Rocket Country of Origin: United States Year Adopted: 1958 Overall Length (mm): 2950.0 Overall Length (in): 116.14 Weight (kg): 373.00 Weight (pounds): 822.32

The AIR-2 Genie (originally designated MB-1) was an unguided, nuclear-armed air-to-air rocket developed in the mid-1950s to give U.S. and allied interceptors a one-shot solution against massed bomber formations. A solid-fuel rocket with a simple time-fuzed airburst, it carried the W25 nuclear warhead (≈1.5 kilotons) and required no guidance-pilots fired on a computed lead and immediately turned away while the weapon detonated ahead of the oncoming raid. The Genie entered service in 1957 and was redesignated AIR-2A after the 1962 tri-service update.

Around 3,000+ Genies were built (commonly cited ≈3,150) from the late 1950s into the early 1960s. The rocket equipped U.S. Air Defense Command interceptors including the F-89J Scorpion, F-101B Voodoo, and F-106A Delta Dart, and was also fielded by Canada under dual-key nuclear custody arrangements. A typical alert loadout was a single Genie paired with conventional AIM-4 Falcon missiles, giving interceptors both a nuclear "area" option and conventional point-target weapons.

In service the Genie became notorious as the only nuclear air-to-air weapon ever live-fired: "Shot John" during Operation Plumbbob (1957) detonated over Nevada after launch from an F-89J. Though never used in combat, the type stood continuous Cold-War alert into the 1980s, its blunt concept reflecting the era's urgency to counter high-altitude bomber threats. As ICBMs/SLBMs and improved conventional missiles eclipsed its niche-and as nuclear air defense fell out of favor-the Genie was retired, leaving a singular legacy in interceptor history.