American Missiles

The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide

Brian D. Nicklas

• Publisher: Frontline Books
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781848325173
• eBook ISBN: 9781783468935
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Military Science & Technology
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This remarkable guide provides for the first time an illustrated listing of almost 200 of Americas most powerful missiles. With information on all aspects of the missiles specifications, including the speed and capacity of the explosives used in its warhead, this book provides a comprehensive guide to the US Armys projectile hardware. 'American Missiles: The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide' draws heavily on the Herbert S. Desind Photo Collection, a resource of more than 110,000 images recently catalogued at the National Air and Space Museum. Of interest to both the specialist and the aviation enthusiasts, this book demonstrates the evolution of American missile design over the last forty years in an accessible and entertaining format.

American Missiles

MGM-1 Matador

Right ½ front view of a MGM-1 (B-61) Matador Missile just at launch from a mobile launcher from the Air Force Missile Test Center, Cocoa, Florida. September 20, 1951.

Right ½ rear view of a MGM-1 Matador missile on launch platform, showing the detail of the Rocket Assisted Take-off (RATO) motor under the rear fuselage. Appears to be a test round at launch from Holloman AFB, New Mexico early in the Matador program.

Specifications

Length: 39 ft 8 in (1209.04 cm)
Diameter: 4 ft 6 in (137.16 cm)
Maximum Span: 27 ft 11 in (850.90 cm)
Height: 9 ft 8 in (294.64 cm)
Speed: over 650 mph
Function: Surface-to-Surface
Weight: 13,800 lbs (6,265 kg)
Warhead: W5 Nuclear Warhead, 20 KT
Guidance: Ground Guidance
First Use Date: 1949 – Holloman AFB, NM
Producer: Martin Company, Baltimore, Maryland
Users: US Air Force, Germany
Other Designations: B-61, TM-61, T-50
Status: Was operational, withdrawn from use

The Matador has been described as the first operational guided weapon used by the US Air Force as all preceding weapons were unguided, the distinction between unguided rockets and missiles like the MGM-1. (A rocket can be part of a missile, but not vice-versa.) The Matador was originally designated as a bomber, the B-61 before being used operationally as the TM-61, could be equipped with a conventional or nuclear warhead. The Matador could be distinguished from the latter similar looking missile the Mace by the Matador’s shorter, yet more pointed nose cone. The Matador could be fired from mobile launchers or from fixed emplacements. Over 1,200 Matadors were produced by Martin, and the last of the operational missiles were replaced in 1962. After which the MGM-1 designation was applied.

RIM-2 Terrier

Right ½ front view of shipboard launcher on the USS Mississippi (EAG-128) holding two RIM-2 Terrier missiles.

Left ¼ front view of shipboard launcher on the USS Canberra (CAG-2) holding two RIM-2 Terrier missiles.

Specifications

Length: 27 ft (823 cm)
Diameter: 1 ft 2 in (35.56 cm)
Maximum Span: 4 ft (121.92 cm)
Function: Surface-to-Air
Weight: 3,300 lbs (1,498 kg)
Warhead: 220 lbs, High Explosive
Guidance: Radar Guided
First Use Date: 1951
Producer: Convair
Users: US Navy, Italy, Netherlands
Other Designations: SAM-N-7
Status: Was operational, withdrawn from use

The Terrier was the first operational surface-to-air missile used by the US Navy. Guided missile cruisers were equipped with multiple launchers, each launcher having two rails each for the RIM-2. The two stage Terrier was initially lofted by a 12 ft long booster, which combined with the main sustainer motor (both solid fuel rocket type) would push the RIM-2 to speeds approaching Mach 2.5. The Terrier was equipped with a conventional explosive warhead.

MIM-3 Nike-Ajax

Left ¾ front view of Site 40, Battery C, 865th AAA Missile Battalion, one of 16 units of the 108th Arty Group (AD). The site is located at Long Beach, California and is equipped with MIM-3 Nike-Ajax missiles.

View of an erected MIM-3 Nike-Ajax missile at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Specifications

Length: 34 ft 10 in (1061.72 cm)
Diameter: 12 in (30.48 cm)
Maximum Span: 4 ft 6 in (137.16 cm)
Function: Surface-to-Air
Weight: 2,259 lbs (1,025 kg)
Warhead: (3) High Explosive, Fragmentation
Guidance: Radar Commanded
First use: 1952
Producer: Western Electric with Douglas Aircraft
Users: US Army
Other Designations: SAM-A-7
Status: Was operational, withdrawn from use

The first anti-aircraft surface-to-air missile used by the United States military, the MIM-3 Nike Ajax would come to symbolize air defense of American cities for years to come, by virtue of the Nike name. Development began post-World War Two, from ideas formulated during the...

Table of contents

• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Acknowledgements
• About the Author
• Numerical List of Missiles
• American Missiles
• Missile Name List
• Missile Families
• Bibliography
• Missiles assigned the modern (1962) MDS (Mission Design Series) designations held by the National Air and Space Museum
• Index of Designations, Names and Acronyms
• Photo Credits