Introduced around 1958 by the Hunter-Douglas Division of Bridgeport Brass Company and named after the North American Indian tribe, the U.S. Navy Zuni was an improved version of the HVAR (High Velocity Aircraft Rocket), also called the Holy Moses, which was used during World War II as an air-to-surface weapon. The Zuni had a greater velocity than the HVAR, more penetrating power, and longer range.
The Zuni's fins automatically unfolded when the missile left its launcher. The Zuni was designed for use against enemy bombers, pillboxes, gun emplacements, trains, vehicle convoys, ammunition dumps, and small ships. The Zuni was very inexpensive, costing about $400 each, and served as both an air-to-surface and air-to-air missile. It was used to the 1980s. This missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1966 by the U.S. Navy.
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. 1958-1980s
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Hunter-Douglas Div., Bridgeport Brass Co.
Physical Description
Cylindrical with ogive nose and a set of four long rectangular folding fins at the rear. In folded position, the fins have the same width as the diameter of the rocket; single rocket nozzle protruding from the middle of rocket base, with the four fin mounts around nozzle. Painted battleship gray with blue (practice) warhead; fins, gray; nozzle, shiny metal, but with white coating corrosion powder around nozzle fixture ring and same white corrosion powder on nipple of warhead; ring, rusted, brownish, between end of nose section and warhead cap; stenciled words and numbers in black along side of upper body, towards nose.
Dimensions
Overall: 7 ft. 11 1/2 in. long x 5 in. diameter, 107 lb. (242.57 x 12.7cm, 48.5kg)
Materials
Non-ferrous metal body; aluminum fins; steel nozzle; steel warhead; non-ferrous warhead cap; steel nose tip
Alternate Name
Zuni missile
Inventory Number
A19660160000
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Navy
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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