Taurus RGM-59

American tactical ballistic missile to provide US Navy ships with a long range surface-to-surface capability. Development began 1961; cancelled 1965.

In the late 1950's the US Navy lost its long-range bombardment capability when the battleships with their 16-inch guns were retired. Studies began in August 1961 and led to definition of the Taurus missile in 1963 to return this capability to the fleet. Taurus was to fit on existing shipboard Terrier SAM launchers, be relatively inexpensive, and carry a 450 kg (1,000 lb) warhead to targets at ranges up to 93 km (50 nm) with a CEP of 190 m (210 yards). Use of a radio beacon activated by troops on the ground near the target would increase the CEP to 27 m (30 yards). The project was cancelled in 1965 before tests could begin, and the Navy remained without a long-range surface-to-surface capability until the Tomahawk cruise missile was deployed in 1986.

Maximum range: 93 km (57 mi).