Enzian Credit: © Mark Wade |
Status: Cancelled 1945.
In 25 September 1942 Goering authorized development of four types of surface to air missiles: unguided rockets (Taifun), target-seeking guided rockets (Enzian); operator optically-guided rockets (Rheintochter and Schmetterling); and radar-guided rockets (Wasserfall).
The Enzian surface-to-air missile duplicated the aerodynamic configuration of the Me-163 rocket fighter, and was developed at the same test center at Oberammergau. The flying wing design used two ailerons to control the missile after a powder rocket launch. There were many variants designed. Flight trials were conducted at Peenemuende. A total of 38 flew, including 16 equipped with guidance systems. However only 30-35% of the tests were successful. Work was cancelled at the beginning of 1945 in favor of concentrating on the Wasserfall.
SE.4350 French post-war surface-to-air missile based on the German Enzian. |