North American SM-64 Navaho Cruise Missile

The North American SM-64 Navaho was a supersonic intercontinental cruise missile project built by North American Aviation. The program ran from 1946 to 1958 when it was cancelled in favor of intercontinental ballistic missiles.

The Navaho program began as part of a series of guided missile research efforts started in 1946. Designated MX-770, the original intent of the program was the development of a winged V-2 missile that could deliver a nuclear (fission) warhead over a distance of 500 miles (800 km). This was more than double the range of the V-2 as well as having a larger payload. Design studies showed the promise of still greater ranges and by 1950 the vehicle had evolved from a 500-mile (800 km) ground launched winged V-2, to a 1,000-mile (1,600 km) range ramjet powered winged V-2, to a 1,500-mile (2,400 km) air-launched, ramjet-powered, winged V-2 (actually designated XSSM-A-2), to finally a 3,000-mile (4,800 km) plus rocket boosted ramjet powered cruise missile. The design evolution finally ended in July 1950 with the issuing by the Air Force of Weapon System 104-A. Under this new requirement the purpose of the program was the development of a 5,500-mile (8,900 km) range nuclear missile.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• North
• American
• SM-64
• Navaho
• cruise
• missiles
• USAF

[perlghost]

@StiviGun1 See "Burya" in english wiki

[StiviGun1]

@perlghost What was the La-350?

[perlghost]

12 test shots, 11 pure failures and 1 partial failure. Huge waste of time and money with rather weak results, especially compared with La-350. Probably the damned legacy of A-4b was dominated.

[StiviGun1]

@artwleb Well, the Navaho could fly at mach 3. If it would've been adopted, I'm sure that it would've been improved and it would've received an even higher speed. It also had a small RCS so it would've been much harder to detect than an ordinary plane. As for Tomahawk, the fact that is subsonic makes it relatively easy to shoot down. I believe that the US navy needs a supersonic or a even a hypersonic missile for land attack and anti-ship roles.

[artwleb]

@StiviGun1 Please note Navaho was a supersonic cruise missile flying at high altitudes. Today's cruise missiles are slower and do terrain hugging. High altitude cruise missiles and bombers would be shot down today.

[darci663]

This missile kicks ASS!!! They should have called it a pilot-less bomber!!! Very big!!! 2 bad it never made it into production!!!

[Jospehporta]

@StiviGun1 Talk about being a master of stating the fucking obvious. People aren't nearly as stupid as you.

[StiviGun1]

@SLIPKNOT0fan1 major powers. All these major powers, USA, Russia, China, collaborate, but they also keep a very careful eye on each other looking 4 weak points that they could take advantage of. Let's face it, they only collaborate because they have no choice, they're too powerful 2 face each other, but if they would have the opportunity, they would take each other out. Everyone of them wants the world all 4 himself, nobody likes 2 share, but it's just that they have no choice.

[StiviGun1]

@SLIPKNOT0fan1 An arms race is still going one in the world. That Cold War element has never changed, the arms race continues. So these powerful weapons r not developed 2 intimidate only smaller, full of resources countries, but also 2 warn each other (the major powers). Because even though they cooperate, they wouldn't hesitate 2 take each other out if the opportunity arises. So strategic weapons r not developed 2 scare small, wake countries, (they have tactical means 4 that) but 2 warn 2 other

[StiviGun1]

@SLIPKNOT0fan1 Well, the Americans r moving away from nuclear weapons now. They're trying 2 switch on conventional long range striking capability, they have a program that is called Prompt Global Strike. They already have 1, but it only uses nuclear weapons. They want 2 create 1 that uses conventional warheads. They even have a Minuteman missile modified 4 that & they're testing it.

As 4 why they r creating such weapons, u're right, 2 scare others, but also as warnings 4 the other major powers.