B-58 Air Launched Ballistic Missile

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GregGleason

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I never realized that the B-58 was configured for ballistic missile trials.

[YOUTUBE]OVtosAjWUvY[/YOUTUBE]

The missile reminds me of the Patriot.

Greg
 
What a great Video!
For anyone that thinks they are getting bored, the really cool stuff starts at around the 8-9 minute mark, when the missile is scheduled for a satellite reconnaissance intercept mission.

I enjoyed the narrative too, as I so often do in these old-timey videos. Straightforward and to the point, with no injection of opinions, just the facts.

It was a matter of note, the steps taken in the redesign for configuration as a camera carrier.:)
 
I never realized that the B-58 was configured for ballistic missile trials.

[YOUTUBE]OVtosAjWUvY[/YOUTUBE]

The missile reminds me of the Patriot.

Greg
That is very, very, VERY interesting. Why so? The missile was configured with a large number of cameras in the reentry vehicle which was meant for ocean recovery. It was then used in an attempt to intercept Discoverer 5, the satellite series cover story for the Corona spy satellites. What's that mean? This program was probably actually meant to either intercept and destroy Russian spy sats once they launched them (EDIT: IF they chose to destroy ours - something that wasn't certain at the time), or to inspect Russian spy sats. It was likely an ASAT system test.

THANKS for that!
 
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It was likely an ASAT system test.
Yep, no big secret I see:

Anti-satellite weapon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon#U.S._programs

In the late 1950s the U.S. Air Force started a series of advanced strategic missile projects under the designation Weapon System WS-199A. One of the projects studied under the 199A umbrella was Martin's Bold Orion air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) for the B-47 Stratojet, based on the rocket motor from the Sergeant missile. Twelve test launches were carried out between 26 May 1958 and 13 October 1959, but these were generally unsuccessful and further work as an ALBM ended. The system was then modified with the addition of an Altair upper stage to create an anti-satellite weapon with an 1100-mile (1700-km) range. Only one test flight of the anti-satellite mission was carried out, making a mock attack on the Explorer 6 at an altitude of 156 miles (251 km). To record its flight path, the Bold Orion transmitted telemetry to the ground, ejected flares to aid visual tracking, and was continuously tracked by radar. The missile successfully passed within 4 miles (6.4 km) of the satellite, which would be suitable for use with a nuclear weapon, but useless for conventional warheads.[1]

A similar project carried out under 199A, Lockheed's High Virgo, was initially another ALBM for the B-58 Hustler, likewise based on the Sergeant. It too was adapted for the anti-satellite role, and made an attempted intercept on Explorer 5 on 22 September 1959. However, shortly after launch communications with the missile were lost and the camera packs could not be recovered to see if the test was successful. In any event, work on the WS-199 projects ended with the start of the GAM-87 Skybolt project. Simultaneous U.S. Navy projects were also abandoned although smaller projects did continue until the early 1970s.


EDIT: I just noticed they said Explorer 5 when they should have said Discoverer 5.
 
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I wonder if a model rocket of the B 58 could be built and then air start an ALBM? A bit crazy but the old dudes would love it!:)

Hmmmm ... It's essentially a two-stage rocket. I think you might need a timer for the ALBM launch, but I think it's doable.

Greg
 
Hmmmm ... It's essentially a two-stage rocket. I think you might need a timer for the ALBM launch, but I think it's doable.

Greg

There was a proposal for a parasite space place to be launched as well. Love the belly pods on the B 58. With a little hack & slash it would not be too hard to CHAD stage the bottom pod on this one.

B 58 1.jpgB 58 2.jpgB 58 3.jpgB 58 5.jpgHustler 9.jpgHustler 7.jpgHustler 6.jpgHustler 2.jpgHustler 4.jpgHustler 3.jpg
 
That is very, very, VERY interesting. Why so? The missile was configured with a large number of cameras in the reentry vehicle which was meant for ocean recovery. It was then used in an attempt to intercept Discoverer 5, the satellite series cover story for the Corona spy satellites. What's that mean? This program was probably actually meant to either intercept and destroy Russian spy sats once they launched them (EDIT: IF they chose to destroy ours - something that wasn't certain at the time), or to inspect Russian spy sats. It was likely an ASAT system test.

THANKS for that!
Intercept does not necessarily mean destroy. In this case it means get close, investigate and observe.
Yep, no big secret I see:

Anti-satellite weapon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon#U.S._programs

In the late 1950s the U.S. Air Force started a series of advanced strategic missile projects under the designation Weapon System WS-199A. One of the projects studied under the 199A umbrella was Martin's Bold Orion air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM) for the B-47 Stratojet, based on the rocket motor from the Sergeant missile. Twelve test launches were carried out between 26 May 1958 and 13 October 1959, but these were generally unsuccessful and further work as an ALBM ended. The system was then modified with the addition of an Altair upper stage to create an anti-satellite weapon with an 1100-mile (1700-km) range. Only one test flight of the anti-satellite mission was carried out, making a mock attack on the Explorer 6 at an altitude of 156 miles (251 km). To record its flight path, the Bold Orion transmitted telemetry to the ground, ejected flares to aid visual tracking, and was continuously tracked by radar. The missile successfully passed within 4 miles (6.4 km) of the satellite, which would be suitable for use with a nuclear weapon, but useless for conventional warheads.[1]

A similar project carried out under 199A, Lockheed's High Virgo, was initially another ALBM for the B-58 Hustler, likewise based on the Sergeant. It too was adapted for the anti-satellite role, and made an attempted intercept on Explorer 5 on 22 September 1959. However, shortly after launch communications with the missile were lost and the camera packs could not be recovered to see if the test was successful. In any event, work on the WS-199 projects ended with the start of the GAM-87 Skybolt project. Simultaneous U.S. Navy projects were also abandoned although smaller projects did continue until the early 1970s.


EDIT: I just noticed they said Explorer 5 when they should have said Discoverer 5.
The F-15 launched ASM-135 ASAT was the first US ASAT system to destroy a satellite. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASM-135_ASAT And it worked the first time.

It was a fun program to work on. :dark: :kill: :cool:
Hmmmm ... It's essentially a two-stage rocket. I think you might need a timer for the ALBM launch, but I think it's doable.

Greg
The ASM-135 ASAT launched automatically provided the F-15 trajectory went through the magic launch window in space.....
 
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