Mace
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Andreas Parsch
American intermediate range cruise missile. Intermediate range cruise missile. Only Cape Canaveral launches are listed here, but over 30 launches were also conducted from Launch Area Able-51 by Detachment 1, 4504th CCTW at Holloman AFB, New Mexico from October 1959 through 1963.
Mace was an improved version of the Matador cruise missile. The Matador's radio guidance was replaced by an innovative autonomous radar-mapping, terrain matching system. A redesigned airframe accommodated more fuel, increasing range to 1300 km (800 miles), while at the same time allowing the mobile missile to be transported fully assembled on its zero-length launch trailer. Flight testing began in 1956, and the first squadron became operational in 1959, replacing Matador missiles in Army service.
Development of the Mace B began in 1959. A new inertial guidance system was installed, which allowed the missile to cruise at high altitude, doubling the range. The drawback was that the missile had to be launched from previously-surveyed, semi-hardened, fixed shelters. First test launch was on 11 July 1960, with deployment from 1961. The Mace was withdrawn from service in 1966-1971, being replaced by the Pershing ballistic missile. Surplus Maces were used as target drones.
Initial Operational Capability: 1959.
More at: Mace.
Related
- Family
- coffin-launched, IRCM, US Cruise Missiles
- Country
- USA
- Stages
- CGM-13B stage
- Agency
- Martin