Pilotless Aircraft Research Division, NASA history collection

Technician D.A. Dereng examines power plug in 1/10-scale model of Northrop Snark missile with Deacon booster at Wallops, November 1950. Joseph Shortal described the missile as follows: "The Snark was to be the Nation's first intercontinental strategic missile and it was to serve as an interim weapon while ballistic missiles were under development. The Snark first attained its design range of 5,000 miles on October 31, 1957, and became operational in April 1959." The NACA research program based on Northrup's "need for rocket-model tests of the Snark...." "Although the Snark was essentially a subsonic missile, one flight plan called for the missile to attain transonic speeds in a final dive on its target from high altitude. The Air Force requested a free-flight program by the rocket-model technique on March 23, 1950 and the NACA issued RA 1564 on April 17, 1950, to cover the investigation." "The purpose of the investigation was "to determine the drag, roll, and pitch characteristics at transonic and low supersonic velocities." From four to six 1/12-scale models, to be built by Northrop Aircraft Inc., were authorized. Actually the models were 1/10-scale and eight models were tested...." "The first model was launched on November 15, 1950 and the last on June 4, 1954. All flights were successful and were reported." Excerpts from Joseph Shortal's history of Wallops Station.
NASA Identifier: L68263