Best Jet of the War?
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GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
Actually, I meant glide and remote control torpedos...
But no, they didn't use "fishes" much...
But no, they didn't use "fishes" much...
A
Anonymous
Guest
GermansRGeniuses said:
Tiny Tim's could be fired from any Med. bomber or the Corsair could carry 2. These were easily strong enough to sink a destroyer, and could probably have badly hurt a light cruiser.
=S=
Lunatic
GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
But I'm not talking about Tiny Tims, we were hypothesizing about a fictional, I repeat, fictional, German air-to-surface missle using the HWK motor from the Me-163...
A
Anonymous
Guest
GermansRGeniuses said:
Why fictional?
The beginning ideas that were to evolve into the Henschel Hs 293 appeared as early as 1939. In 1940 an experimental model having the shape of a glider was built. The goal was to develope a remote-controlled air-to-surface missile against shipping.
Development proceeded even though no suitable rocket motors were available. The experimental model used a standard SC 500 bomb with extra wings and tail unit but no rudder. A propulsion system was finally developed and the liquid-fueled rocket was fitted under the main missile body. An 18-channel radio system was used for control.
The missile was designed to be carried under a parent bomber. Warm exhaust air from the aircraft engines was channeled to the missile to prevent it from freezing at high altitudes. Once dropped the Hs 293 would fall for some 90m before the rocket achieved maximum thrust. The parent bomber would continue to fly a predesignated course parallel with the target. The bombardier could visually track the missile with the aid of red guidance flare in the tail and control the projectile using a small control box with a joystick. The actual flight path resembled a series of arcs as correction signals were received and followed.
The main weakness of the Hs 293A was that the parent bomber had to fly a steady, level path. Evasive moves to avoid anti-aircraft fire was impossible, even though the Hs 293 outranged most ship-borne anti-aircraft guns. An improved H2 293D with a television camera installed in the head of the missile as aiming system was planned but the war concluded before it could be realized. Also, the problem of icing was never resolved and thus further propulsion units were designed. The war ended before these plans could leave the experimental stage.
http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/2833/wunderwaffen/missile/hs293/hs293.html
The Hs293 used hydrogen peroxide + sodium permanganate liquid fuel, I think (without looking it up) this is the same fuel as used on the Me163?
Other Hs293 links:
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/hs293.html
http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/dsh/artifacts/RM-Hs293.htm
http://www.walter-rockets.i12.com/missiles/hs293.htm
The following link gives a list of a variety of surface to air and other German WWII "secret weapons":
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/Secweap.htm
=S=
Lunatic
GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
The Me-163 used an HWK 109-509, I know of no missles that used that; the Hs293 used a HWK 109-507...
A
Anonymous
Guest
GermansRGeniuses said:
Well, it would be silly to put such a large rocket engine on a air-to surface "missile" since there were no guidance systems at the time that could operate at anything close to the range that would provide. The rocket engine has to be scaled down to fit the purpose right?
=S=
Lunatic
GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
A
Anonymous
Guest
You're missing the point. Why put a rocket engine with the ability to provide thrust to drive the missile more than maybe 30 seconds? Well within that time, the missile will either have hit the target or be beyond controller range. Also, because it does not need to lift the missile, you do not need so much thrust.
These factors dictate a smaller rocket engine on such a weapon. Anything as large as the engine on the Me163 is just a waste of materials and fuel. And finally, yes that is a fairly large rocket engine as compared to the size of the missiles that could be reasonably carried on a plane. For an aircraft carried missile, you want it as small as possible right?
=S=
Lunatic
These factors dictate a smaller rocket engine on such a weapon. Anything as large as the engine on the Me163 is just a waste of materials and fuel. And finally, yes that is a fairly large rocket engine as compared to the size of the missiles that could be reasonably carried on a plane. For an aircraft carried missile, you want it as small as possible right?
=S=
Lunatic
Missiles and Rockets of the Luftwaffe.
The A-4 (V-2) ballistic weapon carried a one ton warhead 200 miles (320 km) in less than five minutes and impacted at speeds faster than sound. It was a frightening weapon against which there was no defense and no warning. It was also a technological marvel and a grim vision of the future, foreshadowing the inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the cold war era.
Under the direction of Wernher von Braun development of this revolutionary weapon took over ten years. Progress greatly accelerated in 1937 when the whole research team was moved to the remote baltic island of Peenemunde. The first test of a complete A-4 was on June 13, 1942 when the missile toppled over and exploded at launch. The second A-4 launch on August 16 made the V-2 the first missile to exceed the speed of sound. The third test flight on October 3, 1942 was a complete success. The weapon landed within 2.5 miles (4 km) of its aiming point after flying 118 miles (190 km.) Hitler ordered mass production of the rocket as the Vergeltungswaffe 2 V-2 on December 22, 1942. A total of thirty-one test launches were made out of 50 orginally planned.
The warhead was 2,006 lb (910 kg) of Amatol chosen for its tolerance to high temperatures since the thin steel of the nose reached 600 degrees Centigrade (1,112 degrees F) due to atmospheric friction.
The huge engine was supplied with propellants from high-capacity Walter turbo-pumps driven by turbines on C-stoff and T-stoff and generating 730 hp. Readied for launch the V-2 weighed 28,000 lb ( kg ) most of this being LOX (liquid-oxygen) and Ethyl alcohol. The rocket engine generated 56,000 lb ( kg ) of thrust rapidly sending the missile on its way.
Flight control was achieved by using graphite vanes in the exhaust, as speed increased aerodynamic rudders on the four large fins exerted more control over flight trajectory.
Before launch the A-4 was precisely lined in azimuth with the great circle direction of the target. Thereafter guidance was maintained by a system of pendulums creating a stable platform, two LEV-3 gyros and an integrating accelerometer. This guidance package used electro-hydraulic actuators to move control surfaces on the fins thereby modifing the missile's angle of flight. A maximum height of 60 miles (96 km) was reached before the weapon started to arc down towards its target.
Preliminary production began in a new plant south of Peenemunde in late '43 but mass production took place at Mittelwerke, a huge underground facility that used 50,000 slave laborers to build the giant rockets under horrible conditions. Nervertheless 300 A-4s were constructed in the month of April '44 reaching a peak of just over 1,000 rockets during October of '44.
Total production of V-2 rockets exceeded 10,000.
The V-2 campaign opened up on September 6, 1944 with more than 1,800 missiles stockpiled with army units. 836 Artillerie Abteilung was the unit responsible for the offensive and started with two poorly aimed shots at Paris, France. P> Two days later the V-2 offensive began with missiles fired from heavily concealed and camoflaged sites near Wassenaar, Holland.
1,120 were launched against England (1,050 actually impacting the ground in that country )
About 4,320 V-2 rockets were fired by March 27, 1945 with another 600 expended in training which mainly took place near Blizna, Poland
The A-4 (V-2) ballistic weapon carried a one ton warhead 200 miles (320 km) in less than five minutes and impacted at speeds faster than sound. It was a frightening weapon against which there was no defense and no warning. It was also a technological marvel and a grim vision of the future, foreshadowing the inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the cold war era.
Under the direction of Wernher von Braun development of this revolutionary weapon took over ten years. Progress greatly accelerated in 1937 when the whole research team was moved to the remote baltic island of Peenemunde. The first test of a complete A-4 was on June 13, 1942 when the missile toppled over and exploded at launch. The second A-4 launch on August 16 made the V-2 the first missile to exceed the speed of sound. The third test flight on October 3, 1942 was a complete success. The weapon landed within 2.5 miles (4 km) of its aiming point after flying 118 miles (190 km.) Hitler ordered mass production of the rocket as the Vergeltungswaffe 2 V-2 on December 22, 1942. A total of thirty-one test launches were made out of 50 orginally planned.
The warhead was 2,006 lb (910 kg) of Amatol chosen for its tolerance to high temperatures since the thin steel of the nose reached 600 degrees Centigrade (1,112 degrees F) due to atmospheric friction.
The huge engine was supplied with propellants from high-capacity Walter turbo-pumps driven by turbines on C-stoff and T-stoff and generating 730 hp. Readied for launch the V-2 weighed 28,000 lb ( kg ) most of this being LOX (liquid-oxygen) and Ethyl alcohol. The rocket engine generated 56,000 lb ( kg ) of thrust rapidly sending the missile on its way.
Flight control was achieved by using graphite vanes in the exhaust, as speed increased aerodynamic rudders on the four large fins exerted more control over flight trajectory.
Before launch the A-4 was precisely lined in azimuth with the great circle direction of the target. Thereafter guidance was maintained by a system of pendulums creating a stable platform, two LEV-3 gyros and an integrating accelerometer. This guidance package used electro-hydraulic actuators to move control surfaces on the fins thereby modifing the missile's angle of flight. A maximum height of 60 miles (96 km) was reached before the weapon started to arc down towards its target.
Preliminary production began in a new plant south of Peenemunde in late '43 but mass production took place at Mittelwerke, a huge underground facility that used 50,000 slave laborers to build the giant rockets under horrible conditions. Nervertheless 300 A-4s were constructed in the month of April '44 reaching a peak of just over 1,000 rockets during October of '44.
Total production of V-2 rockets exceeded 10,000.
The V-2 campaign opened up on September 6, 1944 with more than 1,800 missiles stockpiled with army units. 836 Artillerie Abteilung was the unit responsible for the offensive and started with two poorly aimed shots at Paris, France. P> Two days later the V-2 offensive began with missiles fired from heavily concealed and camoflaged sites near Wassenaar, Holland.
1,120 were launched against England (1,050 actually impacting the ground in that country )
About 4,320 V-2 rockets were fired by March 27, 1945 with another 600 expended in training which mainly took place near Blizna, Poland
A-4b Winged Version of V-2
Flying tests
Structure: steel, internally isolated by fibre-glass
Cladding: Riveted steel plate
Wings: Similar construction to the fuselage and supersonic profile (a piloted version with movable ailerons was foreseen)
Tail unit: Movable tail fins activated by electrical controls and nozzle rudders with electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant: EMW with a thrust of 27,500 kg (60,500 lb.) and a maximum acceleration of 6 G.
Propellants: A-Stoff (5,533 kg) and M-Stoff (4,173 kg)
Pressurizer: T-Stoff (172 kg) and Z-Stoff, delivered by a turbopump of 730 HP, as well as nitrogen and pressurized air bottles
Equipment: LEV-3 gyroscopic plant, integrated accelerometers (I-Gerdt) and radio control equipment (a piloted version was planned with flying controls)
Length: 14.03 m ( 46 ft. 3/8 in. )
Span: 6.2 m ( 20 ft. 4 1/8 in. )
Tail unit's span: 3.99 m ( 13 ft. 1 1/8 in. )
Maximum diameter: 1.68 m ( 5 ft. 6 1/8 in. )
Launch weight: 13,000 kg ( 28,600 lb. )
Maximum speed: 2,900 km/h ( 1,566 mph )
Time of propelled flight: 68 seconds
Ceiling: ( top ) 95,000 m ( 311,600 ft. )
Range: 600 km (324 nm)
A 9 ( first version )
Structure: steel
Cladding: Riveted steel plate
Tail unit: movable tail fins controlled by electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant: EMW with a thrust of 25,000 kg ( 55,000 lb. )
Propellants: "Visol" ( compound of vinylic ethers ) and "Salbei" ( 98% nitric acid. )
Pressurizer: T-Stoff ( 186 kg/260 lb. ) and Z-Stoff, actuating a turbopump of 730 HP.
Equipment: gyroscopic plant, integrated accelerometers, and radio control equipment.
Warhead: 1,000 kg ( 2,200 lb. ) of Amatol 60/40
Length: 14 m ( 46 ft. )
Span: 3.5 m ( I I ft. 7 in. )
Maximum diameter: 1.7 m ( 5 ft. 6 7/8 in. )
Launch weight: 13,000 kg ( 28,660 lb. )
Maximum speed: 2,800 m/sec. ( 9,200 ft./sec. )
Ceiling: (top) 160 km ( 86.4 nm )
Range: 5,000 km ( 2,699 nm )
A 9 ( piloted version )
Structure steel
Cladding Riveted steel plate
Tail unit movable tail fins controlled by electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant EMW with a thrust of 25,400 kg (55,880 lb.)
Propellants "Visol" and "Salbei"
Pressurizer: T-Stoff and Z-Stoff actuating a turbopump of 730 HP
Equipment: cartographic radar, gyroscopic plant, ejectable seat, oxygen, and pressurized cockpit.
Warhead: 2,200 lb ( 1,000 kg ) Amatol 60/40
Length: 14.2 m (46 ft. 7 in.)
Span: 3.5 m (I I ft. 7 in.)
Maximum diameter: 1.7 m (5 ft. 6 7/8 in.)
Launch weight: 16,260 kg (35,850 lb.)
Maximum speed: 2,800 m/sec. (9,200 ft./sec.)
Ceiling: (top) 86.4 nm (160 km)
Range: 2,699 nm ( 5,000 km )
A 10 ( first version ) "Projektil Amerika"
Stage Project Structure steel Cladding riveted steel plate Tail unit with internal shock absorbers and fixed surfaces Powerplant six EMW with a thrust of 27,500 kg leading into a common Venturi nozzle and able to make a differential control at low speed by means of an automatic system of power adjustment connected to an inertial plant. Consumption rate 1,237 kg/sec. (2728 lb./sec.) Propellants A-Stoff and M-Stoff with a total weight of 61,490 kg (136,700 lb.) Pressurizer T-Stoff and Z-Stoff with a total weight of 1,032 kg (2270 lb.) and controlled by six turbopumps of 730 HP Length: ( with an A 9 ) 25.8 m ( 84 ft. 7 3/4 in. ) Span: 9 m ( 29 ft. 6 1/4 in. ) Maximum diameter: 4.3 m ( 14 ft, 5 in. ) Launch weight: 99,960 kg ( 219,912 lb ) ( with an A 9 ) Maximum speed: 1,200 m/sec. ( 3,937 ft./sec. ) Ceiling 24 km (13 nm)
A 10 ( second version )
Stage Project Structure steel Cladding riveted steel plate Tail unit with internal shock absorbers and with fixed surfaces Powerplant EMW with a thrust of 200,000 kg (440,000 lb.) and nozzle vanes electrohydrauli- cally controlled Consumption rate 1,012 kg/sec. (2,231 lb./sec.) Propellants "Visol" and "Salbei", with a total weight of 50,560 kg (111,232 lb.) Pressurizer T-Stoff and Z-Stoff with a total weight of 1,500 kg, controlled by several bombs of unknown design and power Length (with an A 9) 25.8 m (84 ft. 7 3/4 in.) Span: 9 m (29 ft. 6 1/4 in.)
Maximum diameter: 4.3 m ( 14 ft. 1 115 in.)
Launch weight: 85,320 kg ( 187,704 lb. ) ( with an A 9 )
Maximum speed: 1,200 m/sec. ( 3,940 ft./sec. )
Ceiling 24 km (13 nm)
Another operational procedure was envisaged for the A-4 in order to reach the North American continent: firing from sea at a short distance off the coast, where the missile should be transported in submersible contain-ers towed by the new Tupe XXI submarines. This project of Wolfsburg-Volkswagen (Test Stand X11) is dated at the end of 1944 and it wasn't made effective when future performances of the A 9/A 10 were known. In January 1945 the "Test Stand XII" was canceled when several containers had been already built and tested in the Vulcan-Stettin dockyards.
Hs 293 Guided Missiles
The Hs 293 was based on a normal 500 kg ( 1,102 lb ) bomb with wings and fins added and an engine suspended from the main body. The Hs 293V-4 and C-1 were guided by radio, like the Fritz-X, but after the Germans found that the Allies were capable of interferring with the control signals to the missile wire guidance was adopted. The C-3, C-4, and A-0 versions of the Hs 293 relied on a wire guidance.
During the bomb's fall, two wired coils on the wing tips unwound, so maintaining the link with the launch plane and allowing the transmission of electrical impulses for guidance. Models "A" possessed an ogival armor piercing head. Models "C" had a conical shape to cleanly pass through the sea surface, close to broadside, and strike under the water line. A model "D" was also built, which transmitted television images of the target to the controller, and a model "H", which was supplied with an acoustic/magnetic detector to attack bomber formations.
Operational Development The Fritz-X and Henschel Hs 293 A-1 were the only ones used in combat with great success. They really meant a step forward to the new age of "smart" weapons. 18 Dornier Do 217 E-5 from the experimental unit II/KG 100 attacked an Allied naval formation with the Hs 293 on August 1943, sinking the sloop "Egret" and seriously damaging the "Athabascan" in the waters of Biscay Bay. They were used a little afterwards in the Atlantic by the III/KG 40, who usually flew the He 177 A-5 and Fw 200 C-4 against merchant convoys. They damaged several of these merchants and the destroyer "Jervis". In the Mediterranean they operated with the II/KG 40 (He 177 A-5), sinking the destroyers "Inglefield", "Boadicea", "Intrepid", "Culverton", and "Vasilissa Olga", as well as the battleship "Valiant". Some transports were also seriously damaged. This success eased the way to the development of the heavy versions, Hs 294 and Hs 295.
Bat Guided Missile
Undoubtedly the most sophisticated winged missile ever used in warfare prior to 1967, this self-homing anti-ship missile and the first to have an Army/Navy missile designation. Its genesis lay in Dragon, begun in January 1941 by RCA who used their TV expertise to devise a TV-guided aerial torpedo for use against surface ships, with airframe by NBS (National Bureau of Standards). By late 1942, when the airframe had flown, the U-boat menace caused a change in direction. Dragon became Pelican and the payload a depth charge steered by semi-active radar homing, the radar being in the launch aircraft. By mid 1943 the U-boats had been defeated, and Pelican was again reorientated as an anti-ship misssile, enlarged to carry a 2,000 lb (907 kg) general purpose bomb and RHB radar homing.
In 1944 the fourth and final fresh start resulted in Bat like a bat it sent out pulses and listened to the reflections. Using the sarne NBS airframe Bat carried a Western Electric pulsed radar in the nose and homed on the reflections from the target ship. Like Gorgon it had four small windmill-driven generators, and the autopilot servos drove the tailplane ( with fixed fins ) arid wing elevons. In the centre was a 1,000 lb (454 kg) GP bomb. Bat was developed at the Navy Bureau of Ordnance in close collaboration with MIT whose Hugh L. Dryden won the Presidential Certificate of Merit for it. The PB4Y-2 Privateer carried two Bats on outer-wing racks, and from May 1945 off Borneo took in increasing toll of Japanese ships, including a destroyer sunk at the extreme range of 20 miles (32 kin) - range being a function of release altitude. With modified radar several Bats successfully homed on bridges in Burma and other Japanese-held areas.
Length: 11 ft, 11 in (3.63 m)
Span: 10 ft, 0 in (3.05 m)
Launch Weight: 1,880 lb (852.7 kg)
Warhead: 1,000 lb (454 kg) HE
Range: Depends on launch altitude with 20 miles (32 km) being maximum
Flying Speed: 300 mph (483 km/h)
Guidance: self homing using on board radar
Radar: Western Electric pulsed radar
Henschel Hs 298
This was the worlds first air-to-air missile to be developed and built. The First launch of a Hs 298 occured on December 22, 1944 from a Junkers Ju 88 A-4. More than 300 Hs 298 missiles were fired during extensive testing at Karlshagen from Ju 88G, Ju 388L, and Fw 190A aircraft. A wire guided version (Hs 298 V2) with a much larger warhead of 105.8 lb (48 kg) was also developed and briefly tested before wars end. This weapon never reached Luftwaffe units.
Name Hs 298
Country Germany
Manafacturer Henschel
Wing structure Wood coating with ailerons
Fuselage Light alloy coating with double nose containing the proximity fuse and the electric generator
Length 6 ft, 63/4 in ( 2.003 m )
Max. Diameter 16.34 in (415 mm)
Span 4 ft, 23.4 in ( 1.29 m )
Launch Weight 209.5 lb (95 kg)
Warhead Weight 55 lb (25 kg) 105.6 lb (48 kg) HE
Guidance Wire guided FuG 203 "Kehl"/FuG 230 "Strassburg" ( FuG 512/FuG 530 "Kogge" )
Powerplant Schmidding SG32/109-543 solid propellant rocket
Max. Speed 455 mph ( 842 km/h )
Range 5,248 ft (1600 m)
RK 344 X-4
RUHRSTAHL-KRAMER X4 The first guided missile with air to air capability successfully used during the Second World War. Developed by Dr. Kramer's team to be launched from high performance day fighters against American bomber formations from a safe distance. Basic design (at the beginning of 1943) was fitted with straight wings, but the final version for serial production had arrowed wings to decrease air resistance when the missile was carried by jet planes. The X4 was wire guided from the carrier fighter to the target proximity, where it automatically exploded by means of an acoustic fuse. At the end of the War, 1,300 missiles had been manufactured. Most of them never received their engines since the BMW factory in Stargard, where they were produced, had been seriously damaged by the Allied bombers. A great part of the test flights were made during the second half of 1944, using X4 missiles provisionally equipped with solid propellant Schmidding engines. Junkers Ju 88G and Ju 188L, as well as three Focke Wulf 190 F-8 and a FW 190 V69, were used as evaluation launch planes. Their operational use by the most advanced day version of the Me 262 was foreseen. It is believed that during the last weeks of war in Europe, several launches, included in the test program, were made against enemy bombers. The X4 was never delivered to the Luftwaffe.
Name X-4
Country Germany
Manafacturer -
Wings structure Plywood
Fuselage structure Aluminum coating
Tail unit structure Aluminum coating
Length 6 ft, 63/4 in ( 2.001 m )
Max. Diameter 8.74 in ( 0.222 m )
Span 2 ft, 45/8 in ( 0.725 m )
Launch Weight 132 lb (60 kg)
Warhead Weight 44 lb (20 kg) HE with proximity fuses "Dogge" and "Meise" activated by the noise of target bombers
Guidance Wire guided by the system FuG 5 10 with "Dusseldorf" transmitter and "Detmold" receiver. The guidance wires were lodged in two coils fixed to wing tips and automatically unwound in flight.
Powerplant BMW 548 of liquid propellant with a thrust between 308 lb to 66 lb ( 140 kg to 30 kg )
Propellants Tonka 250 ( 1.6 kg/3.5 lb ) and S-Stoff ( 6.4 kg/1.41 lb )
Fuel tank spiral, installed around the engine and with a piston actuated by compressed air running through it
Pressurizer Compressed air
Max. Speed 482 mph ( 893 km/h )
Range 10,496 ft ( 3,200 m )
- -
- -
Designed by Dr. Max Kramer of Ruhrstahl Allgemeine Gesellschaft ( A.G. ) the X-4, also known as the RK 344, was the first practical air-to-air missile and a revolution in the technology of air combat. The missile had four wings arranged symmetrically around the body with four smaller control fins further back.
After launch from a Me 262 jet fighter or a Focke-Wulf 190 the missile accelerated to 520 mph ( 840 km/h ) with a BMW 109-448 rocket motor. Burning Tonka 250 fuel ( 57 percent xylidine and 43 percent triethylamine ) and nitric acid oxidizer the X-4 had a maximum burn time of thirty seconds. Two guidance wires unrolled from spools on the wings as the weapon flew toward its target. Control signals reached the X-4 along these wires from a "joystick" type controller in the launch plane. Maximum range was about 3.4 miles ( 5.47 km ) with the effective range being more like 1.5 km ( 4,900 ft. )
The missile used a Kranich proximity acoustic fuze tuned to the B-17 engine's frequency. The noise of the B-17's engines would cause the fuze to detonate the 44 lb ( 20 kg ) warhead within about 23 ft (7 m) of the aircraft. The X-4 was first test launched in August of 1944 from a FW 190. Large scale production commenced with some 1,300 missiles built by January of 1945. In February 1945 the allies bombed BMW's Stargard factory where the production motors were being built, destroying all except 250 experimental motors in other factories. The program was cancelled as a result.
Ruhrstahl X-4
Fin Span: 2 ft, 45/8 in ( 0.725 m )
Maximum diameter: 8 ft, 5/8 in ( 0.222 m )
Length: 6 ft, 6¾ in (2 m)
Launching weight: 132lb (60 kg)
Warhead: 44 lb (20 kg)
Propulsion: BMW 109-448 rocket motor
Maximum speed: 520 mph / 452 kt ( 840 km/h )
Max Range: 3.4 miles ( 5.47 km )
Effective Range: 4,900 ft ( 1.5 km )
Number Built / Converted: 1,300
The A-4 (V-2) ballistic weapon carried a one ton warhead 200 miles (320 km) in less than five minutes and impacted at speeds faster than sound. It was a frightening weapon against which there was no defense and no warning. It was also a technological marvel and a grim vision of the future, foreshadowing the inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the cold war era.
Under the direction of Wernher von Braun development of this revolutionary weapon took over ten years. Progress greatly accelerated in 1937 when the whole research team was moved to the remote baltic island of Peenemunde. The first test of a complete A-4 was on June 13, 1942 when the missile toppled over and exploded at launch. The second A-4 launch on August 16 made the V-2 the first missile to exceed the speed of sound. The third test flight on October 3, 1942 was a complete success. The weapon landed within 2.5 miles (4 km) of its aiming point after flying 118 miles (190 km.) Hitler ordered mass production of the rocket as the Vergeltungswaffe 2 V-2 on December 22, 1942. A total of thirty-one test launches were made out of 50 orginally planned.
The warhead was 2,006 lb (910 kg) of Amatol chosen for its tolerance to high temperatures since the thin steel of the nose reached 600 degrees Centigrade (1,112 degrees F) due to atmospheric friction.
The huge engine was supplied with propellants from high-capacity Walter turbo-pumps driven by turbines on C-stoff and T-stoff and generating 730 hp. Readied for launch the V-2 weighed 28,000 lb ( kg ) most of this being LOX (liquid-oxygen) and Ethyl alcohol. The rocket engine generated 56,000 lb ( kg ) of thrust rapidly sending the missile on its way.
Flight control was achieved by using graphite vanes in the exhaust, as speed increased aerodynamic rudders on the four large fins exerted more control over flight trajectory.
Before launch the A-4 was precisely lined in azimuth with the great circle direction of the target. Thereafter guidance was maintained by a system of pendulums creating a stable platform, two LEV-3 gyros and an integrating accelerometer. This guidance package used electro-hydraulic actuators to move control surfaces on the fins thereby modifing the missile's angle of flight. A maximum height of 60 miles (96 km) was reached before the weapon started to arc down towards its target.
Preliminary production began in a new plant south of Peenemunde in late '43 but mass production took place at Mittelwerke, a huge underground facility that used 50,000 slave laborers to build the giant rockets under horrible conditions. Nervertheless 300 A-4s were constructed in the month of April '44 reaching a peak of just over 1,000 rockets during October of '44.
Total production of V-2 rockets exceeded 10,000.
The V-2 campaign opened up on September 6, 1944 with more than 1,800 missiles stockpiled with army units. 836 Artillerie Abteilung was the unit responsible for the offensive and started with two poorly aimed shots at Paris, France. P> Two days later the V-2 offensive began with missiles fired from heavily concealed and camoflaged sites near Wassenaar, Holland.
1,120 were launched against England (1,050 actually impacting the ground in that country )
About 4,320 V-2 rockets were fired by March 27, 1945 with another 600 expended in training which mainly took place near Blizna, Poland
The A-4 (V-2) ballistic weapon carried a one ton warhead 200 miles (320 km) in less than five minutes and impacted at speeds faster than sound. It was a frightening weapon against which there was no defense and no warning. It was also a technological marvel and a grim vision of the future, foreshadowing the inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) of the cold war era.
Under the direction of Wernher von Braun development of this revolutionary weapon took over ten years. Progress greatly accelerated in 1937 when the whole research team was moved to the remote baltic island of Peenemunde. The first test of a complete A-4 was on June 13, 1942 when the missile toppled over and exploded at launch. The second A-4 launch on August 16 made the V-2 the first missile to exceed the speed of sound. The third test flight on October 3, 1942 was a complete success. The weapon landed within 2.5 miles (4 km) of its aiming point after flying 118 miles (190 km.) Hitler ordered mass production of the rocket as the Vergeltungswaffe 2 V-2 on December 22, 1942. A total of thirty-one test launches were made out of 50 orginally planned.
The warhead was 2,006 lb (910 kg) of Amatol chosen for its tolerance to high temperatures since the thin steel of the nose reached 600 degrees Centigrade (1,112 degrees F) due to atmospheric friction.
The huge engine was supplied with propellants from high-capacity Walter turbo-pumps driven by turbines on C-stoff and T-stoff and generating 730 hp. Readied for launch the V-2 weighed 28,000 lb ( kg ) most of this being LOX (liquid-oxygen) and Ethyl alcohol. The rocket engine generated 56,000 lb ( kg ) of thrust rapidly sending the missile on its way.
Flight control was achieved by using graphite vanes in the exhaust, as speed increased aerodynamic rudders on the four large fins exerted more control over flight trajectory.
Before launch the A-4 was precisely lined in azimuth with the great circle direction of the target. Thereafter guidance was maintained by a system of pendulums creating a stable platform, two LEV-3 gyros and an integrating accelerometer. This guidance package used electro-hydraulic actuators to move control surfaces on the fins thereby modifing the missile's angle of flight. A maximum height of 60 miles (96 km) was reached before the weapon started to arc down towards its target.
Preliminary production began in a new plant south of Peenemunde in late '43 but mass production took place at Mittelwerke, a huge underground facility that used 50,000 slave laborers to build the giant rockets under horrible conditions. Nervertheless 300 A-4s were constructed in the month of April '44 reaching a peak of just over 1,000 rockets during October of '44.
Total production of V-2 rockets exceeded 10,000.
The V-2 campaign opened up on September 6, 1944 with more than 1,800 missiles stockpiled with army units. 836 Artillerie Abteilung was the unit responsible for the offensive and started with two poorly aimed shots at Paris, France. P> Two days later the V-2 offensive began with missiles fired from heavily concealed and camoflaged sites near Wassenaar, Holland.
1,120 were launched against England (1,050 actually impacting the ground in that country )
About 4,320 V-2 rockets were fired by March 27, 1945 with another 600 expended in training which mainly took place near Blizna, Poland
A-4b Winged Version of V-2
Flying tests
Structure: steel, internally isolated by fibre-glass
Cladding: Riveted steel plate
Wings: Similar construction to the fuselage and supersonic profile (a piloted version with movable ailerons was foreseen)
Tail unit: Movable tail fins activated by electrical controls and nozzle rudders with electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant: EMW with a thrust of 27,500 kg (60,500 lb.) and a maximum acceleration of 6 G.
Propellants: A-Stoff (5,533 kg) and M-Stoff (4,173 kg)
Pressurizer: T-Stoff (172 kg) and Z-Stoff, delivered by a turbopump of 730 HP, as well as nitrogen and pressurized air bottles
Equipment: LEV-3 gyroscopic plant, integrated accelerometers (I-Gerdt) and radio control equipment (a piloted version was planned with flying controls)
Length: 14.03 m ( 46 ft. 3/8 in. )
Span: 6.2 m ( 20 ft. 4 1/8 in. )
Tail unit's span: 3.99 m ( 13 ft. 1 1/8 in. )
Maximum diameter: 1.68 m ( 5 ft. 6 1/8 in. )
Launch weight: 13,000 kg ( 28,600 lb. )
Maximum speed: 2,900 km/h ( 1,566 mph )
Time of propelled flight: 68 seconds
Ceiling: ( top ) 95,000 m ( 311,600 ft. )
Range: 600 km (324 nm)
A 9 ( first version )
Structure: steel
Cladding: Riveted steel plate
Tail unit: movable tail fins controlled by electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant: EMW with a thrust of 25,000 kg ( 55,000 lb. )
Propellants: "Visol" ( compound of vinylic ethers ) and "Salbei" ( 98% nitric acid. )
Pressurizer: T-Stoff ( 186 kg/260 lb. ) and Z-Stoff, actuating a turbopump of 730 HP.
Equipment: gyroscopic plant, integrated accelerometers, and radio control equipment.
Warhead: 1,000 kg ( 2,200 lb. ) of Amatol 60/40
Length: 14 m ( 46 ft. )
Span: 3.5 m ( I I ft. 7 in. )
Maximum diameter: 1.7 m ( 5 ft. 6 7/8 in. )
Launch weight: 13,000 kg ( 28,660 lb. )
Maximum speed: 2,800 m/sec. ( 9,200 ft./sec. )
Ceiling: (top) 160 km ( 86.4 nm )
Range: 5,000 km ( 2,699 nm )
A 9 ( piloted version )
Structure steel
Cladding Riveted steel plate
Tail unit movable tail fins controlled by electrohydraulic controls
Powerplant EMW with a thrust of 25,400 kg (55,880 lb.)
Propellants "Visol" and "Salbei"
Pressurizer: T-Stoff and Z-Stoff actuating a turbopump of 730 HP
Equipment: cartographic radar, gyroscopic plant, ejectable seat, oxygen, and pressurized cockpit.
Warhead: 2,200 lb ( 1,000 kg ) Amatol 60/40
Length: 14.2 m (46 ft. 7 in.)
Span: 3.5 m (I I ft. 7 in.)
Maximum diameter: 1.7 m (5 ft. 6 7/8 in.)
Launch weight: 16,260 kg (35,850 lb.)
Maximum speed: 2,800 m/sec. (9,200 ft./sec.)
Ceiling: (top) 86.4 nm (160 km)
Range: 2,699 nm ( 5,000 km )
A 10 ( first version ) "Projektil Amerika"
Stage Project Structure steel Cladding riveted steel plate Tail unit with internal shock absorbers and fixed surfaces Powerplant six EMW with a thrust of 27,500 kg leading into a common Venturi nozzle and able to make a differential control at low speed by means of an automatic system of power adjustment connected to an inertial plant. Consumption rate 1,237 kg/sec. (2728 lb./sec.) Propellants A-Stoff and M-Stoff with a total weight of 61,490 kg (136,700 lb.) Pressurizer T-Stoff and Z-Stoff with a total weight of 1,032 kg (2270 lb.) and controlled by six turbopumps of 730 HP Length: ( with an A 9 ) 25.8 m ( 84 ft. 7 3/4 in. ) Span: 9 m ( 29 ft. 6 1/4 in. ) Maximum diameter: 4.3 m ( 14 ft, 5 in. ) Launch weight: 99,960 kg ( 219,912 lb ) ( with an A 9 ) Maximum speed: 1,200 m/sec. ( 3,937 ft./sec. ) Ceiling 24 km (13 nm)
A 10 ( second version )
Stage Project Structure steel Cladding riveted steel plate Tail unit with internal shock absorbers and with fixed surfaces Powerplant EMW with a thrust of 200,000 kg (440,000 lb.) and nozzle vanes electrohydrauli- cally controlled Consumption rate 1,012 kg/sec. (2,231 lb./sec.) Propellants "Visol" and "Salbei", with a total weight of 50,560 kg (111,232 lb.) Pressurizer T-Stoff and Z-Stoff with a total weight of 1,500 kg, controlled by several bombs of unknown design and power Length (with an A 9) 25.8 m (84 ft. 7 3/4 in.) Span: 9 m (29 ft. 6 1/4 in.)
Maximum diameter: 4.3 m ( 14 ft. 1 115 in.)
Launch weight: 85,320 kg ( 187,704 lb. ) ( with an A 9 )
Maximum speed: 1,200 m/sec. ( 3,940 ft./sec. )
Ceiling 24 km (13 nm)
Another operational procedure was envisaged for the A-4 in order to reach the North American continent: firing from sea at a short distance off the coast, where the missile should be transported in submersible contain-ers towed by the new Tupe XXI submarines. This project of Wolfsburg-Volkswagen (Test Stand X11) is dated at the end of 1944 and it wasn't made effective when future performances of the A 9/A 10 were known. In January 1945 the "Test Stand XII" was canceled when several containers had been already built and tested in the Vulcan-Stettin dockyards.
Hs 293 Guided Missiles
The Hs 293 was based on a normal 500 kg ( 1,102 lb ) bomb with wings and fins added and an engine suspended from the main body. The Hs 293V-4 and C-1 were guided by radio, like the Fritz-X, but after the Germans found that the Allies were capable of interferring with the control signals to the missile wire guidance was adopted. The C-3, C-4, and A-0 versions of the Hs 293 relied on a wire guidance.
During the bomb's fall, two wired coils on the wing tips unwound, so maintaining the link with the launch plane and allowing the transmission of electrical impulses for guidance. Models "A" possessed an ogival armor piercing head. Models "C" had a conical shape to cleanly pass through the sea surface, close to broadside, and strike under the water line. A model "D" was also built, which transmitted television images of the target to the controller, and a model "H", which was supplied with an acoustic/magnetic detector to attack bomber formations.
Operational Development The Fritz-X and Henschel Hs 293 A-1 were the only ones used in combat with great success. They really meant a step forward to the new age of "smart" weapons. 18 Dornier Do 217 E-5 from the experimental unit II/KG 100 attacked an Allied naval formation with the Hs 293 on August 1943, sinking the sloop "Egret" and seriously damaging the "Athabascan" in the waters of Biscay Bay. They were used a little afterwards in the Atlantic by the III/KG 40, who usually flew the He 177 A-5 and Fw 200 C-4 against merchant convoys. They damaged several of these merchants and the destroyer "Jervis". In the Mediterranean they operated with the II/KG 40 (He 177 A-5), sinking the destroyers "Inglefield", "Boadicea", "Intrepid", "Culverton", and "Vasilissa Olga", as well as the battleship "Valiant". Some transports were also seriously damaged. This success eased the way to the development of the heavy versions, Hs 294 and Hs 295.
Bat Guided Missile
Undoubtedly the most sophisticated winged missile ever used in warfare prior to 1967, this self-homing anti-ship missile and the first to have an Army/Navy missile designation. Its genesis lay in Dragon, begun in January 1941 by RCA who used their TV expertise to devise a TV-guided aerial torpedo for use against surface ships, with airframe by NBS (National Bureau of Standards). By late 1942, when the airframe had flown, the U-boat menace caused a change in direction. Dragon became Pelican and the payload a depth charge steered by semi-active radar homing, the radar being in the launch aircraft. By mid 1943 the U-boats had been defeated, and Pelican was again reorientated as an anti-ship misssile, enlarged to carry a 2,000 lb (907 kg) general purpose bomb and RHB radar homing.
In 1944 the fourth and final fresh start resulted in Bat like a bat it sent out pulses and listened to the reflections. Using the sarne NBS airframe Bat carried a Western Electric pulsed radar in the nose and homed on the reflections from the target ship. Like Gorgon it had four small windmill-driven generators, and the autopilot servos drove the tailplane ( with fixed fins ) arid wing elevons. In the centre was a 1,000 lb (454 kg) GP bomb. Bat was developed at the Navy Bureau of Ordnance in close collaboration with MIT whose Hugh L. Dryden won the Presidential Certificate of Merit for it. The PB4Y-2 Privateer carried two Bats on outer-wing racks, and from May 1945 off Borneo took in increasing toll of Japanese ships, including a destroyer sunk at the extreme range of 20 miles (32 kin) - range being a function of release altitude. With modified radar several Bats successfully homed on bridges in Burma and other Japanese-held areas.
Length: 11 ft, 11 in (3.63 m)
Span: 10 ft, 0 in (3.05 m)
Launch Weight: 1,880 lb (852.7 kg)
Warhead: 1,000 lb (454 kg) HE
Range: Depends on launch altitude with 20 miles (32 km) being maximum
Flying Speed: 300 mph (483 km/h)
Guidance: self homing using on board radar
Radar: Western Electric pulsed radar
Henschel Hs 298
This was the worlds first air-to-air missile to be developed and built. The First launch of a Hs 298 occured on December 22, 1944 from a Junkers Ju 88 A-4. More than 300 Hs 298 missiles were fired during extensive testing at Karlshagen from Ju 88G, Ju 388L, and Fw 190A aircraft. A wire guided version (Hs 298 V2) with a much larger warhead of 105.8 lb (48 kg) was also developed and briefly tested before wars end. This weapon never reached Luftwaffe units.
Name Hs 298
Country Germany
Manafacturer Henschel
Wing structure Wood coating with ailerons
Fuselage Light alloy coating with double nose containing the proximity fuse and the electric generator
Length 6 ft, 63/4 in ( 2.003 m )
Max. Diameter 16.34 in (415 mm)
Span 4 ft, 23.4 in ( 1.29 m )
Launch Weight 209.5 lb (95 kg)
Warhead Weight 55 lb (25 kg) 105.6 lb (48 kg) HE
Guidance Wire guided FuG 203 "Kehl"/FuG 230 "Strassburg" ( FuG 512/FuG 530 "Kogge" )
Powerplant Schmidding SG32/109-543 solid propellant rocket
Max. Speed 455 mph ( 842 km/h )
Range 5,248 ft (1600 m)
RK 344 X-4
RUHRSTAHL-KRAMER X4 The first guided missile with air to air capability successfully used during the Second World War. Developed by Dr. Kramer's team to be launched from high performance day fighters against American bomber formations from a safe distance. Basic design (at the beginning of 1943) was fitted with straight wings, but the final version for serial production had arrowed wings to decrease air resistance when the missile was carried by jet planes. The X4 was wire guided from the carrier fighter to the target proximity, where it automatically exploded by means of an acoustic fuse. At the end of the War, 1,300 missiles had been manufactured. Most of them never received their engines since the BMW factory in Stargard, where they were produced, had been seriously damaged by the Allied bombers. A great part of the test flights were made during the second half of 1944, using X4 missiles provisionally equipped with solid propellant Schmidding engines. Junkers Ju 88G and Ju 188L, as well as three Focke Wulf 190 F-8 and a FW 190 V69, were used as evaluation launch planes. Their operational use by the most advanced day version of the Me 262 was foreseen. It is believed that during the last weeks of war in Europe, several launches, included in the test program, were made against enemy bombers. The X4 was never delivered to the Luftwaffe.
Name X-4
Country Germany
Manafacturer -
Wings structure Plywood
Fuselage structure Aluminum coating
Tail unit structure Aluminum coating
Length 6 ft, 63/4 in ( 2.001 m )
Max. Diameter 8.74 in ( 0.222 m )
Span 2 ft, 45/8 in ( 0.725 m )
Launch Weight 132 lb (60 kg)
Warhead Weight 44 lb (20 kg) HE with proximity fuses "Dogge" and "Meise" activated by the noise of target bombers
Guidance Wire guided by the system FuG 5 10 with "Dusseldorf" transmitter and "Detmold" receiver. The guidance wires were lodged in two coils fixed to wing tips and automatically unwound in flight.
Powerplant BMW 548 of liquid propellant with a thrust between 308 lb to 66 lb ( 140 kg to 30 kg )
Propellants Tonka 250 ( 1.6 kg/3.5 lb ) and S-Stoff ( 6.4 kg/1.41 lb )
Fuel tank spiral, installed around the engine and with a piston actuated by compressed air running through it
Pressurizer Compressed air
Max. Speed 482 mph ( 893 km/h )
Range 10,496 ft ( 3,200 m )
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Designed by Dr. Max Kramer of Ruhrstahl Allgemeine Gesellschaft ( A.G. ) the X-4, also known as the RK 344, was the first practical air-to-air missile and a revolution in the technology of air combat. The missile had four wings arranged symmetrically around the body with four smaller control fins further back.
After launch from a Me 262 jet fighter or a Focke-Wulf 190 the missile accelerated to 520 mph ( 840 km/h ) with a BMW 109-448 rocket motor. Burning Tonka 250 fuel ( 57 percent xylidine and 43 percent triethylamine ) and nitric acid oxidizer the X-4 had a maximum burn time of thirty seconds. Two guidance wires unrolled from spools on the wings as the weapon flew toward its target. Control signals reached the X-4 along these wires from a "joystick" type controller in the launch plane. Maximum range was about 3.4 miles ( 5.47 km ) with the effective range being more like 1.5 km ( 4,900 ft. )
The missile used a Kranich proximity acoustic fuze tuned to the B-17 engine's frequency. The noise of the B-17's engines would cause the fuze to detonate the 44 lb ( 20 kg ) warhead within about 23 ft (7 m) of the aircraft. The X-4 was first test launched in August of 1944 from a FW 190. Large scale production commenced with some 1,300 missiles built by January of 1945. In February 1945 the allies bombed BMW's Stargard factory where the production motors were being built, destroying all except 250 experimental motors in other factories. The program was cancelled as a result.
Ruhrstahl X-4
Fin Span: 2 ft, 45/8 in ( 0.725 m )
Maximum diameter: 8 ft, 5/8 in ( 0.222 m )
Length: 6 ft, 6¾ in (2 m)
Launching weight: 132lb (60 kg)
Warhead: 44 lb (20 kg)
Propulsion: BMW 109-448 rocket motor
Maximum speed: 520 mph / 452 kt ( 840 km/h )
Max Range: 3.4 miles ( 5.47 km )
Effective Range: 4,900 ft ( 1.5 km )
Number Built / Converted: 1,300
Attachments
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Anonymous
Guest
And if the German's could have traded it all for the VT fuse they'd have done so in a heartbeat!
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Lunatic
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Lunatic
pretty crazy atleat the thoughts huh
And they probably should have.
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Anonymous
Guest
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:
If they could have it would have made a huge difference for their war effort. Germany tried but failed to develop their own proximity fuse during WWII, they just could not make it small enough and shock resistant enough to work in a reasonable sized shell.
The VT fuse would have put an end to Allied heavy bombing missions. It also magnified the effectiveness of HE artillery rounds by an order of magnitude by setting the fuses to cause airbursts as the shells approached the ground.
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Lunatic
You know the Germans were working on VT (proximity fuses) as early as the early 1930's. The concept was not new, I wonder why they could not get it to work.
GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
Actually no, the point is for the missle to be large.
Why?
That way it can carry more explosives and of varying types, as well as possible targeting and/or guidance equipment and a shaped warhead charge to pierce ship armor well...
Mainly as a weapon to attack capital ships (like the deck of a carrier), not outlying DDs...
Why?
That way it can carry more explosives and of varying types, as well as possible targeting and/or guidance equipment and a shaped warhead charge to pierce ship armor well...
Mainly as a weapon to attack capital ships (like the deck of a carrier), not outlying DDs...
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Anonymous
Guest
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:
Again, it was a matter of where their base industrial technology was at the time. The British could not get such a thing working either. When the problem was taken up in earnest by the USA (with the advantage of recieving all the British research notes and some British researchers), the wide base of the US electronics industry was able to supply the needed skills and construction methods. There was just a lot more diversity of research and industry to be applied to solving this problem. Sylvania was working on minature glass tubes, and focuesed on making these strong enough to withstand initial acceleration. At the same time, RCA began developing metal tubes in case Sylvania's efforts failed (which were abandon when Sylvania succeeded). Germany and Britain simply could not afford to undertake such multiple path research, they would instead try the most promising path first, then if that did not succeed, they would try another or give up.
Let me explain what I mean by the industrial/research base. Prior to WWII the USA already had companies like Sylvania, GE, RCA, Raytheon, Eastman Kodak, and Hytron (and some others) competeing in electronics and vacuum tube industry. When the VT fuse project was undertaken the skills and techniques and engineering talent of all these (and many more) companies which had previously been working as competitors along different lines of thought were able to be drawn upon to develop a working fuse. 87 firms using 110 factories were utilized to develop and produce the VT fuse, neither Germany nor Britain had this kind of diversity or depth to draw upon within their national electronics industries.
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Lunatic
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Anonymous
Guest
GermansRGeniuses said:
But they didn't have any guidence systems that could work beyond a few miles. And also the planes to carry them had limits to the size of the rocket that could be carried. The engine on the Me163 could carry that thing 50+ miles after climbing to altitude, it would have been able to carry a ship based missile with no climb even further. They might have eventually tried something bigger than the Hs293, but something as large as the rocket on the Me163 was just unneeded.
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Lunatic
GermansRGeniuses
Tech Sergeant
You seem to not have gotten the point...
It could have been dropped by an He-177, a jet bomber, or anything that could carry it...
As it is indeed a rocket, more so than a missle, it could be released at a dive, in a roughly 45 degree angle to pierce a ship's top armor, though I am saying it could be used to mount a guidance system due to its size...
It could have been dropped by an He-177, a jet bomber, or anything that could carry it...
As it is indeed a rocket, more so than a missle, it could be released at a dive, in a roughly 45 degree angle to pierce a ship's top armor, though I am saying it could be used to mount a guidance system due to its size...
Finally someone has mentioned the A-10 apart from me. Although missing the vital fact that it was the worlds first ICBM, or maybe that was said and I didn't read it.
Well done to RG for being one of the first Americans in history to mention the British when discussing something the Americans achieved that used British notes on the subject.
And who said this fictional missile had to have a guidance system? Bombs didn't have guidance systems, so this missile could have been dropped while the mother ship is pointing it at the ship. Turn away and go home with the tail gunner laughing as the ship explodes. Needs to be bigger for a bigger explosion to bring down Aircraft Carriers.
Well done to RG for being one of the first Americans in history to mention the British when discussing something the Americans achieved that used British notes on the subject.
And who said this fictional missile had to have a guidance system? Bombs didn't have guidance systems, so this missile could have been dropped while the mother ship is pointing it at the ship. Turn away and go home with the tail gunner laughing as the ship explodes. Needs to be bigger for a bigger explosion to bring down Aircraft Carriers.
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