MGM-1 Matador

The MGM -1 Matador was the first U.S. military cruise missiles. It was developed in 1949 and was carrying a nuclear warhead. The weapon was deployed during the Cold War in West Germany. Precursor of the matador as self- flying cruise missiles was the German construction Fieseler Fi 103 (V1 ) from the year 1943.

Development and Technology

The first launch of a matador with the type designation XSSM -A-1 took place in January 1947 held at the White Sands Missile Range, from 1951, the tests were continued at the Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. 1953 was the first Matador battery of the U.S. military use. She was armed with nuclear warheads W5, which had a comparatively low explosive yield of 40 kT TNT.

The missile was guided via remote control, and follows with a network of radar stations on the ground. The radio link required a direct air line, so the range was limited to 400 km. She was also jeopardized by enemy jamming.

Therefore began in 1954, the U.S. Air Force with the development of YTM - 61C version that used the Shanicle control system ( Short Range Navigation Vehicle). It consisted of a series of ground-based microwave (radar) stations, a radio network to the generated representation of distance and azimuth, based on which the hero navigated. Thus, the usable range could be extended to a maximum of 1,000 km.

The last matador in 1962 decommissioned after 1,200 units had been produced.

In addition to Japan and South Korea the cruise missiles were stationed in West Germany: In Rhineland -Palatinate bunkered silos were built in Idenheim and knights village, from which the missiles under the leadership of the 701st ( 1958 38th ) Tactical Missile Wing could be started. Identical systems were on the Japanese island of Okinawa group.

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