American air-to-air missile, development started in 1947. Program cancelled in 1953.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Martin AAM-N-4 Oriole

In 1947, Martin was awarded a development contract for the AAM-N-4 Oriole, an air-to-air missile for carrier-based aircraft. The Oriole was powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor and used an active radar homing guidance system. Range is quoted as 8-16 km (5-10 miles) and the maximum launching altitude was 16 km (10 miles).

The Oriole program progressed to flight tests of XAAM-N-4 prototypes, but the tactical missile development program was cancelled in the early 1950s in favour of the more immediately promising AAM-N-2/AIM-7 Sparrow. The Oriole missiles continued to be used until 1955 as general research and test vehicles under the RV-N-16 designation.

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for XAAM-N-4:

[1] Norman Friedman: "US Naval Weapons", Conway Maritime Press, 1983
[2] Frederick I. Ordway III, Ronald C. Wakeford: "International Missile and Spacecraft Guide", McGraw-Hill, 1960
[3] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979

Manufacturer: Martin. Total Mass: 680 kg (1,490 lb). Core Diameter: 0.34 m (1.11 ft). Total Length: 4.57 m (14.99 ft). Maximum range: 32 km (19 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Guidance: Active Radar Homing. Maximum speed: 2,820 kph (1,750 mph). Development Cost $: 12.500 million. in: 1950 average dollars.