RIM-2 Terrier
The Convair RIM-2 Terrier was a two-stage medium-range naval surface-to-air missile (SAM), and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. Originally, the Terrier had a launch thrust of 23 kN (5,200 lbf), and weight of 1392 kg (3,069 lb). Its original dimensions were a diameter of 340 mm, a length of 8.08 m, and a fin span of 1.59 m.
Terrier has also been used as a sounding rocket, typically as a first stage, for conducting research. The Terrier can be equipped with various upper stages, like the Asp, the Tomahawk or the Orion.
History
The Terrier was a development of the Bumblebee Project, the Navy's effort to develop a surface-to-air missile to provide a middle layer of defense against air attack (between carrier fighters and antiaircraft guns). It was test launched from USS Mississippi (AG-128) ex (BB-41), and operationally first deployed on the Boston class cruisers, USS Boston (CAG-1) and USS Canberra (CAG-2). Its designation was SAM-N-7 until 1963 when it was redesignated RIM-2.
Initially, the Terrier used radar beam-riding guidance, wing control, a conventional warhead, had a top speed of only Mach 1.8, and a range of only 10 nautical miles (19 km), it was useful only against subsonic targets. Before it was even in widespread service it was seeing major improvements. The RIM-2C, named the Terrier BT-3 (Beam-riding, Tail control, series 3) was introduced in 1958. The wings were replaced with fixed strakes, and the tail became the control surface. The BT-3 also had a new motor, and featured extended range, Mach 3 speed, and better maneuverability. The RIM-2D Terrier BT-3A(N) used a W45 1kt nuclear warhead, but all other variants used a 218 lb (99 kg) controlled-fragmentation warhead. The RIM-2E introduced semi-active radar homing, for greater effectiveness against low-flying targets. The final version, the RIM-2F, used a new motor which doubled effective range to 40nm.
The Terrier was the primary missile system of most US Navy cruisers built during the 1960s. It could be installed on much smaller ships than the much larger and longer-ranged RIM-8 Talos. A Terrier installation typically consisted of the Mk 10 twin-arm launcher with a 40-round rear-loading magazine, but some ships had extended magazines with 80 or 120 rounds, and the installation in the Boston and Canberra used a bottom-loading magazine of 72 rounds.
The Terrier was replaced by the RIM-67 Standard missile (ER).
Specifications
- Range: 17.3 nm (32 km)
- Ceiling: 80,000 ft (24,400 m)
- Speed: Mach 3.0
- Warhead: 218 lb (99 kg)
- Length: 27 ft (8.23 m)
- Diameter: 13.5 in
- Weight: 3000 lb (1360 kg) (missile: 1180 lb, booster: 1820 lb) (535 and 825 kg)