Lockheed Polaris

Perfection of this missile represents one of the greatest achievements in missile engineering. The problem presented to Lockheed and its subcontractors in 1956 was to produce an …

Scheufeln Taifun (Typhoon)

This unguided rocket was mass-produced in 1945 and used in conjunction with more conventional Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA). The weapon design was initiated by Scheufeln (a range officer …

Vickers Type 888 Red Dean

Red Dean was an Air-to-Air Missile project started in late 1952. The missile was to use a pulse doppler guidance system. However, the technology was not available …

Raytheon AIM7 Sparrow

The Sparrow Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) began as Project Hot-Shot in 1946 under contract from the US Navy. However, full engineering development of Sparrow I did not start …

Rheinmetall Borsig Rheinbote

Although unguided, this was the first multi-stage missile to be used in warfare. The Rheinbote’s powerful first stage delivered 38,000kg (83,774lb) thrust for just 1 second, to …

Ruhrstahl Kramer X4

The X4, was developed as an Air-to-Air Missile (AAM), although its use of wire guidance paved the way for modern anti-tank missiles, which often used wire guidance …

RAF Lightweight Torpedo Mk30

This is a passive anti-submarine weapon which reaches a speed of 19 knots and carries a 45kg (100lb) warhead activated by a proximity fuse. The acoustic head …

Hawker-Siddeley Blue Steel

Started privately by AV Roe in 1954, a contract was eventually placed by the Ministry of Supply in 1956 for a stand-off missile to carry a Thermonuclear …

Henschel HS293

Development of the Henschel 293 began in May 1940; the research led by Professor Dr Herbert A Wagner. The HS293 was designed as a glider bomb based …