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Sparrow 2 Missile
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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
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Sparrow 2 Missile
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).
-
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
Sparrow 2 Missile
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).
-
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
Sparrow 2 Missile
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).
-
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
Sparrow 2 Missile
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).
-
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.
-
Missile, Air-to-Air, Sparrow 2
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Sparrow 2 Missile
This is the U.S. Navy Sparrow 2 air-to-air missile, designed and built by the Douglas Aircraft Company. 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.
Display Status:
This object is on display in the Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Collection Item Summary:
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.