This comprehensive guide provides for the first time an illustrated listing of almost 200 of America’s most powerful missiles. It contains information on all aspects of the missile’s specifications, including the speed and capacity of the explosives used in each warhead.

American Missiles: The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide draws heavily on the Herbert S. Desind Photo Collection, a resource of more than 110,000 images recently catalogued at the National Air and Space Museum. Of interest to both the specialist and the aviation enthusiasts, this book demonstrates the evolution of American missile design over the last forty years in an accessible and entertaining format. In addition, the book contains a detailed bibliography, plus a list of missiles with modern designations within the Museum’s collections.