Polaris A2
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
American missile. In comparison to the A-1, the Polaris A-2 had a slightly longer first stage and a lighter second-stage motor casing. These features increased range to 2800 km (1500 nm), the performance originally envisioned by the Navy.
The Polaris A2 was a production-standard missile that achieved the range originally specified for the system through use of a longer first stage and a lighter fiberglass second-stage motor casing. Higher-reliability avionics were also fitted. First launch was November 1960, and deployment in June 1962.
Maximum range: 2,820 km (1,750 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard RV: Mk. 20B. Standard warhead: W47. Warhead yield: 800 KT. CEP: 2.90 km (1.80 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Initial Operational Capability: 1962.
Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch
Lockheed UGM-27 Polaris A-2
Given the very short development time of Polaris (only four years from development contract to operational deployment), it is not surprising that the A-1 version had room for improvements. The Polaris A-2 had a slightly longer first stage, using the full length of the missile tubes, and a lighter second-stage motor casing made of fiberglass instead of steel. These features increased range to 2800 km (1500 nm), the performance originally envisioned by the Navy. The A-2 also had new electronics for higher reliability. The first A-2 was launched in November 1960, and deployment of this version began in June 1962.
Related
- Family
- submarine-launched
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LC25A, Cape Canaveral LC29A, Vandenberg WTR, Cape Canaveral ETR
- Agency
- Lockheed
Chronology
206 events
1960 November 10
16:22 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC25A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.- Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Advanced Polaris (A-2) successfully launched on record 1,600-mile flight at AMR..
1960 December 5
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC25A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.- Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). Polaris A-2 successfully test fired 1,400 nautical miles down AMR..
1961 January 10
17:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 February 6
21:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC25A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. FAILURE: Failure.1961 March 1
18:19 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.- Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). The fourth firing of an advanced Polaris A-2, and the first from a ship, was made by the U.S.S. Observation Island as she cruised at 8 knots, 10 miles offshore from Cape Canaveral..
1961 March 9
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 March 15
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 April 11
15:40 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. FAILURE: Failure.1961 May 1
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 May 8
17:10 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 May 25
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. FAILURE: Failure.1961 June 12
15:53 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC25A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 June 26
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. FAILURE: Failure.1961 July 13
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 August 2
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC29A. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 August 18
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2. FAILURE: Failure.1961 October 4
14:22 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: EAG-154. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.1961 October 23
16:38 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral ETR. Launch Platform: SSBN 608. LV Family: Polaris. Launch Vehicle: Polaris A2.- Nation: USA. Agency: USN. Apogee: 1,000 km (600 mi). First underwater launching of Navy Polaris A-2, and first firing from submarine, U.S.S. Ethan Allen..