MGM-1 Matador

The Matador was the first operational surface-to-surface cruise missile of the U.S. armed forces.

History

• First flight: January 20, 1949 at White Sands Missile Range by XSSM-A-1

Specifications

• Length: 12.1 m; 39 ft 7 in
• Wingspan: 8.7 m; 28 ft 7 in
• Diameter: 1.2 m; 4 ft 6 in
• Weight: 5400 kg; 12,000 lb
• Speed: 1040 km/h; Mach 0.9
• Ceiling: 10,600 m; 35,000 ft
• Range: 1000 km; 620 miles
• Cruise propulsion: Allison J33-A-37 of 4,600 lbf (20 kN) thrust
• Boost propulsion: Aerojet General solid fuel rocket of 55,000 lbf (240 kN) thrust
• Warhead: 50 kT W-5 nuclear fission warhead

Versions

• MX-771: Original U.S. Air Force project number.
• SSM-A-1: Early proposed designation for operational missile. This designation was dropped before the first operational missiles were completed.
• XSSM-A-1: First designation applied to first prototypes for development of the missile airframe.
• YSSM-A-1: First designation applied to prototypes for development of the guidance system.
• B-61: Operational designation proposed to supercede SSM-A-1 designation. This designation was designed to classify the missile as a pilotless bomber.
• XB-61: Redesignation of the XSSM-A-1
• YB-61: Redesignation of the YSSM-A-1
• B-61A: First production version of the Matador. Principle difference from the XB-61 and YB-61 was redesign of the airframe with high wings in place of the previous mid-mounted wings.
• TM-61A: Redesignation of the B-61A as the USAF decided to classify the Matador as a tactical missile instead of a pilotless bomber.
• TM-61B: Significant redesign of the TM-61A, ultimately being redesignated as its own system, the TM-76 Mace.
• TM-61C: Improved TM-61A developed as a stop-gap as the TM-61B was under development.
• MGM-1C: Redesignation of the TM-61C in 1963 to meet new aircraft and missile designation standards adopted by the USAF. Only the TM-61C required redesignation as the TM-61A had been fully withdrawn from service and the TM-61B had been redesignated the TM-76 Mace, and ultimately received the MGM-13 designation.

External links

• Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles