The Falcon was the first operational guided air-to-air missile of the US Air Force. Development started in 1946, when Hughes was awarded a contract to study a subsonic short-range air-to-air missile. The requirement was soon changed to a supersonic missile, to be launched from bombers for self-defense.

Initially designated the GAR-1 the Falcon was a semi-active radar homing short-range intercept missile. It had a Thiokol M58 solid fuel rocket motor and a small high-explosive warhead. It did not feature a proximity fuse, so the missile had to hit its target to explode. This was not considered a problem for the intended use against large and slow bombers. The GAR-1 (AIM-4) became operational with F-89H/J and F-102A interceptors in 1956 and about 4000 were produced.

Various versions of the GAR-1 were produced, later redesignated the AIM-4 in 1963, and later versions were much more capable and incorporated infrared (IR) homing for guidance to the target. The final version the AIM-4G incorporated a more sophisticated IR seeker and was the only Falcon missile designed for use against fighters. The F-106A interceptor carried the AIM-4G. When the F-106 was phased out in 1980s the Falcon was retired as well.

WR-ALC managed all series of the AIM-4 "Falcon" missiles for the USAF, the one on display is an AIM-4G. Over 52,000 "Falcons" of various versions were produced.