Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is the Gorgon II-A, one of the U.S.'s first liquid-fuel rocket-powered guided missiles. It was developed as an air-to-air weapon by the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) during late World War II, but did not become operational. With a range of 18 miles, the Gorgon II-A utilized a television guidance system to locate a target and was controlled by radio signals. 21 Gorgon II-A's were built and flight tested during 1945 and 1946. This is one of the few surviving examples.

The Gorgon was one of the first U.S. attempts to use television in guided missiles for target tracking and perhaps the first in a rocket-propelled vehicle. The Gorgon II-A motor produced 350 pounds of thrust for 130 seconds. The Gorgon II-A program was cancelled in 1946. This specimen contains original electronics, except for the TV transmitter.

The U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics transferred this Gorgon to the Museum in 1965.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date ca. 1943-1946 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Singer Manufacturing Company
 Dimensions Overall: 16ft x 4ft 6in. x 11ft x 1ft 5in. (487.68 x 137.16 x 335.28 x 43.18cm)
 Materials Airframe, wood; wings, wood; clear plexiglass window, curved, on front of missile; electrical boxes inside missile, mainly steel.
 Inventory Number A19660039000 Credit Line Transferred from United States Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.