Chance Vought SSM-N-9/RGM-15 Regulus II

[Bill S]

Static Longitudinal and Lateral Stability Characteristics of an 0.065-Scale Model of the Chance Vought XRSSM-N-9a (REGULUS II) Missile at Mach Numbers from 1.6 to 2.0 (TED No. NACA AD 3122)

Some Flight Data for the Chance Vought Regulus 2 Missile

Summary of Flight Data Obtained From 0.12-Scale Rocket-Powered Models of the Chance Vought Regulus 2 Missile

Effects of various modifications on the static longitudinal stability and control characteristics of a 0.065-scale model of the Chance Vought Regulus II missile at a Mach number of 2.01: TED No. NACA AD 398

Static longitudinal and lateral stability and control characteristics of an 0.065-scale model of the Chance Vought Regulus II missile at Mach numbers of 1.41, 1.61, and 2.01: TED No. NACA AD 398

Zero-Lift Drag of the Chance Vought Regulus II Missile at Mach Numbers Between 0.8 and 2.2 as Determined From the Flight Tests of Two 0.12-Scale Models: TED No. NACA AD 398

Effects of Various Modifications on the Static Longitudinal Stability and Control Characteristics of a 0.065-Scale Model of the Chance Vought Regulus II Missile at a Mach Number of 2.01

Static Longitudinal and Lateral Stability Characteristics of an 0.065-Scale Model of the Chance Vought XRSSM-N-9a (REGULUS II) Missile at Mach Numbers from 1.6 to 2.0 (TED No. NACA AD 3122)

 

[NMaude]

Thanks!

 

[F.L.]

Why did some Regulus IIs have landing gear ?
As a missile, the Regulus is not supposed to land, and it's easier to launch it with a rocket booster.

 

[NMaude]

Why did some Regulus IIs have landing gear ?
As a missile, the Regulus is not supposed to land, and it's easier to launch it with a rocket booster.
View attachment 726790View attachment 726789

Those Regulus II missiles were prototypes and pre-production missiles which the USN wanted to be reusable on the grounds that they were basically very expensive unmanned aircraft.

 

[Archibald]

Just like the Navaho's X-10s.

 

[Mark Nankivil]

Those Regulus II missiles were prototypes and pre-production missiles which the USN wanted to be reusable on the grounds that they were basically very expensive unmanned aircraft.

Regulus I also came with landing gear (FTM - Fleet Training Missile) - have to check but would think the II would have been available with landing gear for the same reasons.

Enjoy the Day! Mark

 

[Kiltonge]

Attachment 1: details of the 'trim vanes' ( canards ). Stabilised the missile on launch and reduced its landing speed by 30 mph during testing.

Attachment 2: details of the 150lb magnesium 'sugar scoop' air intake casting and its boundary splitter, manufactured by RH Osbrink.

Attachment 3: loading an R-II onto a C-124 using the bespoke dolly.

Attachment 4: first surface firing from AG-157 USS King County, 10 Dec 1958.

Attachment 5: the complicated and congested deck operations to prep an R-II for launch from Grayback. If I understand the images correctly, with the upgrade for R-II a new external launching ramp was installed between the two hangars that 'picked' a missile out of each hangar. Must have been hydrodynamically noisy.

 

[Kiltonge]

Clearest shot I've found of Grayback's launcher. Appears to run on fore-aft track with points ( switch ) to enable it to roll into selected hangar. Additional lateral curving track to provide azimuth when launcher in aftmost position.

Also a bonus photo of the deck and hangars after conversion for SOF support. Mk VII SDV in port hangar. Some tracking still visible on deck.

 

[Scott Kenny]

I really do like the lines of the Grayback class boats...

Another piece helping kill off the Regulus missiles was all the WW2 combat veteran Admirals saying "I need to spend HOW LONG on the surface to launch this missile?!?"

Halibut, the nuke Regulus boat, had some terrifyingly large ballast tanks to get her off the surface in a hurry.

 

[TJDougherty01]

Although Grayback and Growler are often grouped together and appear superficially similar, Grayback ws built at Mare Island, Ca. (MINSY) and is a SCB137 design. Growler (SCB SCB 161) was constructed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PINSY) in Kittery, Maine. Grayback was 334 in length with a 30 foot beam, whereas Growler was 318 feet in length and 29 foot beam.

With regard to Halibut, the biggest fear was flooding of the missile hanger. A non-recoverable event. It was a "on off" design; the planned later Permit class SSGNs had separate hangers for the four Regulus II missiles. When Regulus II was cancelled, the Permit class became SSNs, designated as Thresher/Permit class.

Since Scott likes the lines, here are some photos of Growler. A decent look at the hangers and a Regulus I missile onboard. If you look closely, you can see the rails beneath the missile launcher for training it to the side for launch.

 

[Scott Kenny]

Although Grayback and Growler are often grouped together and appear superficially similar, Grayback ws built at Mare Island, Ca. (MINSY) and is a SCB137 design. Growler (SCB SCB 161) was constructed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PINSY) in Kittery, Maine. Grayback was 334 in length with a 30 foot beam, whereas Growler was 318 feet in length and 29 foot beam.

With regard to Halibut, the biggest fear was flooding of the missile hanger. A non-recoverable event. It was a "on off" design; the planned later Permit class SSGNs had separate hangers for the four Regulus II missiles. When Regulus II was cancelled, the Permit class became SSNs, designated as Thresher/Permit class.

Since Scott likes the lines, here are some photos of Growler. A decent look at the hangers and a Regulus I missile onboard. If you look closely, you can see the rails beneath the missile launcher for training it to the side for launch.

Thank you very much!

 

[GTX]

View attachment 650620
ORIGINAL CAPTION: An SSM-N-9 Regulus II missile is maneuvered aboard the USS Grayback.

View attachment 650621
ORIGINAL CAPTION: Another view of a Regulus II on USS Greyback emphasizes the scale of these early strategic missiles.

The Oddly Shaped USS Grayback Was A Cold War Submarine Like No Other

The remarkable sub's story includes launching fighter-sized cruise missiles, attempting to rescue Vietnam War PoWs, and getting painted bright orange.

www.thedrive.com

This would appear to be from the same series:

 

[NMaude]

How many surviving Regulus II missiles are there? From what I understand after McNamara cancelled the programme in favour of the Polaris SLBM all of the surviving prototype, pre-production and the few production missiles were converted into and expended as missile targets.

 

[GTX]

How many surviving Regulus II missiles are there? From what I understand after McNamara cancelled the programme in favour of the Polaris SLBM all of the surviving prototype, pre-production and the few production missiles were converted into and expended as missile targets.

see here:

SSM-N-9 Regulus II - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Dilandu]

Another piece helping kill off the Regulus missiles was all the WW2 combat veteran Admirals saying "I need to spend HOW LONG on the surface to launch this missile?!?"

Just imagine what would he said if he knew that cotemporary Soviet cruise missile submarines needed only to surface and open the missile container hatch for launch...

 

[Scott Kenny]

Just imagine what would he said if he knew that cotemporary Soviet cruise missile submarines needed only to surface and open the missile container hatch for launch...

I'd learn new profanity!