This is the Corporal, America's first operational guided missile. The liquid-propellant Corporal was equipped with a conventional or atomic warhead and ranged 75 miles. It was guided by a beam-riding guidance system and gyro-controlled graphite jet exhaust vanes. The California Institute of Technology's GALCIT (Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology) began development of the Corporal in 1944.
It was first successfully fired in 1947. Its development, however, was slow, and it did not became operational until 1954. The Corporal was furnished to the U.S. and British armies and was also stationed in Italy. The Corporal went out of service in 1966.
This missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1968 by the U.S. Navy.
Display Status
This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Date
ca. 1950-1958
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
Dimensions
3-D (Aluminum Pallet Storage): 121.9 × 121.9 × 35.6cm, 91.2kg (4 ft. × 4 ft. × 1 ft. 2 in., 201lb.)
3-D (Lifting Bracket 1): 74.9 × 91.4 × 10.2cm, 19.5kg (2 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 3 ft. × 4 in., 43lb.)
3-D (Lifting Bracket 2): 74.9 × 91.4 × 10.2cm, 19.5kg (2 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 3 ft. × 4 in., 43lb.)
3-D (Lifting Bracket 3): 76.2 × 6.3 × 10.2cm, 8.6kg (2 ft. 6 in. × 2 1/2 in. × 4 in., 19lb.)
3-D (Lifting Bracket 4): 81.3 × 7.6 × 3.8cm, 5kg (2 ft. 8 in. × 3 in. × 1 1/2 in., 11lb.)
Overall: 36 ft. 4 1/2 in. × 2 ft. 6 in., 2960lb. (1108.7 × 76.2cm, 1342.6kg)
Materials
Overall, non-ferrous metal, possibly aluminum; steel screws around body; white plastic inserts in at least two holes around base of missile.
Alternate Name
Corporal Missile
Inventory Number
A19680010002
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Navy
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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