This is the U.S. Navy's solid-fuel Subroc (Submarine Rocket), the first guided missile capable of underwater launch, guided airborne trajectory, and underwater detonation. It was therefore very complex and underwent an extensive development program from 1955 until it became operational in 1965. Subroc could either be used as an underwater-to-air, underwater-to-underwater, or surface-to-underwater weapon and carried a nuclear warhead.
It was fired from a standard torpedo tube, then rose to the surface, flew for 25-50 miles before re-entering the water with its rocket motor already ejected, then homed in on an enemy submarine. It went out of service in 1987. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1966 by the U.S. Naval Ordnance Lab.
Display Status
This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
Object Details
Date
ca. 1965
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
Avco Corportation
Dimensions
Overall: 20 ft. 6 in. long x 1 ft. 9 in. diameter, 4085 lb. (624.84 x 53.34cm, 1852.9kg)
Materials
Motor section, steel or cast iron; torpedo or warhead section, steel
Alternate Name
Subroc Antisubmarine Missile
Inventory Number
A19660031000
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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