Sparoair II on F4D
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| Function | Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Naval Missile Center |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 3.68 m (12 ft 1 in) |
| Diameter | 200 mm (8 in) |
| Mass | 143 kg (315 lb) |
| Stages | Two |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to 120 km (65 nmi) | |
| Mass | 18 kg (40 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | Point Mugu |
| First flight | 1960 |
| Last flight | 8 July 1965 |
Sparoair was a family of air-launched sounding rockets developed by the United States Navy in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Based on the Sparrow air-to-air missile, three versions of the rocket were developed; although some launches were successful, the system did not enter operational service.
Sparoair was developed by the Naval Missile Center, as a two-stage development of the Sparrow III air-to-air missile.[1][2] Propelled by two Sparrow rocket motors mounted in tandem,[3] the Sparoair could be launched from F3H (F-3) Demon and F4D (F-6) Skyray fighter aircraft, and was capable of lifting a 40 pounds (18 kg) payload to an apogee of 65 nautical miles (120 km; 75 mi).[4][2]
The Sparoair I was the original version of the rocket, launched using an ejection system and a lanyard for firing; after that proved unreliable in flight testing, the Sparoair II was developed that utilised a rail launch with ignition prior to release from the aircraft.[1] Eight launches of Sparoair II vehicles had been conducted by 1961.[1] Each Sparoair II rocket cost US$6,000.[2]
Sparoair III utilised a redesigned second-stage motor, and could be launched from the F-4 Phantom II; however, any aircraft capable of launching the Sparrow III AAM could launch the Sparoair.[1]
The Sparoair III utilised the aircraft's Low Altitude Bombing System (LABS) circuits to initiate launch; the second stage was ignited via a mechanical device armed by the acceleration of the first stage.[1]
The first Sparoair III was launched on 8 July 1965; it proved a partial failure as the second stage failed to ignite. The second launch on 26 May 1966 failed after six seconds of second-stage burn when the vehicle exploded.[1] No further launches were undertaken.[5]
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United States Navy missile designations 1947–1962
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| Air-launched missiles |
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| Surface-launched missiles |
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| Test vehicles |
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Air-launched space vehicles and rockets
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| Spaceplanes |
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| Sounding rockets |
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| Orbital launchers |
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| Air-to-space missiles |
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| Air-launched ballistic missiles |
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