The Gorgon 2C was one of a family of missiles developed by the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics. It was powered by a pulsejet much like the one used on the V-1 cruise missile launched by Germany in World War II. The war ended as the Gorgon 2C was approaching operational use. It was then converted into a control test vehicle and was used to test missile heat homing and radar homing systems and techniques. About 100 were built and tested from September 1946 to 1951. This artifact is one of the few if not the only remaining Gorgon 2Cs extant.
The missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1966 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. 1946-1947
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
United States Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics
Dimensions
Overall: 5 ft 2 in. tall x 4 ft. 10 in. wide x 19 ft. 6 in. deep, 11 ft. wing span, 560 lb.(157.5 x 147.3 x 594.36cm, 254kg, 60.96 x 335.28cm)
Materials
Frame and skin, aluminum; nose, aluminum; pulsejet tube and grill, steel; tubular spar through main wing, steel; wood in wing roots; two plastic tubes at rear.
Alternate Name
Gorgon 2C Missile
Inventory Number
A19660026000
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.