Dart missile

American surface-to-surface anti-tank missile. Development started in 1953 Program cancelled in 1958 in favor of the French SS.10.

Dart was an early – and enormous - anti-tank missile. Curtiss-Wright's first design proposal in November 1951. After evaluation against the French SS.10, a development contract was issued in April 1953. First launch was in August 1954. The missile was powered by a Grand Central dual-thrust solid-propellant rocket motor and was fired from an M59 truck-mounted launcher. The operator was supposed to optically control the wire-guided missile by siting on a tail-mounted sodium flare. The Dart's large cruciform wings and fins made its mobility questionable. It began to be advertised as an anti-emplacement weapon instead. Development dragged on, and the missile was finally cancelled in September 1958. The SS.10, much more compact and by then operational, was purchased for the Army instead.

Development Cost $: 44.000 million in 1955 dollars. Maximum range: 1.90 km (1.10 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Maximum speed: 1,130 kph (700 mph). Initial Operational Capability: 1958.