The display reads:
REDSTONE BALLISTIC MISSILE
The Redstone Ballistic Missile, also known as the Surface to Surface Missile (SSM)-A-14, and Programmed Guided Missile (PGM)-11A, was a development from the German V-2 Rocket of the Second World War, and eventually named for Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where it was designed. It met the U.S. Army’s requirement for a ballistic missile that could outrange conventional artillery, development starting in 1951, and the first missile fired in August of 1953. The Redstone proved to be very reliable, and accurate, with thirty-five of the first thirty-eight missiles fired reaching the target. The missile’s supersonic speed made it immune to any countermeasures known at the time.
The flight program was fed into the guidance system prior to launch, and the signals played back to the system during flight to control its trajectory. Accuracy was within a 1000 foot radius from the intended target. Due to its preprogrammed guidance system, the missile could not be diverted by exterior means.
The Redstone Missile was powered by a Rocketdyne A-6 engine, generating 78,000 pounds of thrust. This thrust could be controlled for 96 to 121 seconds to adjust range. The Rocketdyne engine burned a fuel composed of 75% alchol and 25% water, a motor driven by steam produced by hydrogen peroxide drove the turbopumps to provide the initial fuel pressure. The missile body and the thrust unit drop off at the end of the thrust phase allowing the more aerodynamic guidance module and warhead to continue to the target.
The firing of the Redstone missile is in four phases. They are:
Phase I: The thrust unit fires, propelling the entire missile towards the target.
Phase II: The thrust unit separates from the warhead / guidance section during flee flight. The thrust unit falling short of the target due to its lack of aerodynamic shape.
Phase III: Initial corrections are made to the trajectory of the warhead / guidance system module.
Phase IV: Final corrections are made during this terminal phase of flight.
The Redstone Missile System could be assembled, erected, fueled, aimed, and fired in less than two hours.
With research for the Pershing Missile System approved in 1958, the obsolescent Redstone was phased out of service, finally leaving in 1961.
Weight
Empty: 7,420 kg (16,300 lbs)
Loaded: 28,000 kg (61,700 lbs)
Range
Minimum: 93 km (58 miles)
Maximum: 325 km (200 miles)
Length: 21.1 meters (69 ft 4 in)
Diameter: 1.8 meters (70 in)
Propellant
Oxidizers: Liquid Oxygen (LOX) 11,370 kg (25,000 lbs)
Fuel: 25% water and 75% alcohol 8,650 kg (19,000 lbs.)
Steam Source: Hydrogen peroxide 359 kg (854 lbs)
steam generator
Thrust: controlled from 96 to 121 seconds 35,200 kg (75,000 lbs)
Guidance: inertial
Warhead: nuclear or conventional 3,590 kg (7,900 lbs)
Mobility: transportable by its attendant vehicles over most terrain passable by tactical vehicles. All loads capable of being transported by air, rail, road, or sea.
Museum Acc. #: 80.42.2
Taken June 6th, 2011.
Posted by The Carouselambra Kid on 2011-06-13 23:03:17
Tagged: , Fort Sill , Oklahoma , Military , U.S. Army Artillery Museum , Redstone Ballistic Missile