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 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

This is the U.S. Navy Sparrow 2 air-to-air missile, designed and built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was a highly maneuverable missile designed for U.S. Navy aircraft and was similar to the Sparrow 1, America's first operational air-to-air guided missile, but the Sparrow 2 had a more advanced guidance system.

The Sparrow family of missiles originated in 1946 and became one of the largest and most important missile programs for the United States, NATO, and other U.S. allies. A branch of the Sparrow family exists today as the AIM series of missiles.

This missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1959 by the U.S. Naval Missile Center.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Korea and Vietnam Aviation at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Korea and Vietnam Aviation
Object Details
Date 1958 Country of Origin United States of America Type ARMAMENT-Missiles Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
 Physical Description Cylindrical, tapering towards nosecone tip; with four equi-distant projections (arms) around base, for accomodating fins. Overall, blaze orange and white fibreglass nosecone. Accompanied by separate, curved metal rods (external electrical leads probablly to be fitted along warhead or guidance and control sections). Separate motor (1959-0099-003) and separate fins (1959-0099-002). Dimensions Overall: 9 in. wide x 7 ft. 5 in. long (22.86 x 226.06cm)
 Materials Aluminum and steel; fiberglass nosecone
 Alternate Name Sparrow 2 Missile Inventory Number A19590099000 Credit Line Transferred from U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.