Bloodhound missile

Bloodhound missile
Name	Bloodhound missile
Function	Surface-to-air missile
Manufacturer	Armstrong Whitworth, British Aircraft Corporation
Country-origin	United Kingdom

Bloodhound missile. The Bloodhound missile is a British surface-to-air missile that was used for air defense, primarily during the Cold War. The development of the Bloodhound missile began in the 1940s, with the first operational version, the Bloodhound Mk I, entering service in 1959. The missile was designed to engage high-speed, high-altitude targets, such as bomber aircraft.

Development and design

The development of the Bloodhound missile started in 1949, led by Armstrong Whitworth, with a team under the guidance of Archibald Low. The project was influenced by the wartime research on anti-aircraft systems and the Bedford Guided Projectile Establishment played a significant role in its development. The Bloodhound's design incorporated a beam rider guidance system, which utilized a radar beam to guide the missile to its target.

The Bloodhound's propulsion system consisted of a Bristol Siddeley PS.21R ramjet engine, which provided the necessary thrust to engage high-speed targets. The missile's airframe was designed to be highly maneuverable, with a unique wing configuration that allowed for stable flight at high altitudes.

Operational history

The Bloodhound Mk I entered service in 1958 with No. 264 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Fovant. The missile was used to defend against Soviet bomber aircraft, such as the Tu-4 Bull, and was typically deployed in conjunction with RAF fighter units. The Bloodhound Mk I was later upgraded to the Mk II standard, which featured improved guidance and propulsion systems.

During the 1960s, the Bloodhound missile was used to defend several key strategic locations, including RAF Bomber Command and NATO's northern flank. The missile's operational history was marked by several notable deployments, including a 1962 exercise in Norway, where a Bloodhound squadron was deployed to defend against a perceived Soviet threat.

Variants

The Bloodhound missile had several variants, including the Mk I, Mk II, and Mk III. The Mk II was the most widely produced variant, with over 200 missiles manufactured. The Mk III was a proposed upgrade, which would have featured a new guidance system and improved propulsion. However, the Mk III was canceled in the late 1960s due to the development of more advanced surface-to-air missiles.

Operators

The Bloodhound missile was operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The RAF operated the missile from several bases in the United Kingdom, including RAF Fovant and RAF West Raynham. The RAAF operated a single squadron of Bloodhound missiles, based at RAAF Base Williamtown.

Specifications (Bloodhound Mk II)

* Length: 26 ft 6 in * Diameter: 35 in * Wingspan: 12 ft * Launch weight: 6,700 lb * Propulsion: Bristol Siddeley PS.21R ramjet engine * Guidance: Beam rider guidance system * Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation * Range: 60 miles * Ceiling: 100,000 ft * Speed: Mach 2.5+

Category:Surface-to-air missiles