Lark
Missile · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Credit: via Andreas Parsch
American surface-to-air missile. Lark missile.
Development of the Lark anti-aircraft missile began in late 1944 as an anti-Kamikaze weapon. In a crash program, parallel contracts were awarded to Fairchild and Consolidated-Vultee. However by the time flight testing began in June 1946 the war was over. Lark used two solid propellant rocket boosters for initial acceleration, and a two-chamber Reaction Motors LR2-RM-2 liquid-propellant engine for cruise. Cruciform wings and tailfins provided stability and control. The 45 kg (100 lb) warhead was detonated by a proximity fuse.
As was usual for early missiles, the guidance system was the biggest challenge. Early tests used a manual radio-guidance system. The Fairchild missile used radio-command mid-course guidance and semi-active radar terminal homing. The Convair missile used beam-riding for mid-course guidance and a radar for active terminal homing. As the years went by, development of alternate designs under the Navy Bumblebee program showed greater promise. Lark was terminated soon after test launches from the USS Norton Sound had begun in 1950. Surplus rockets were used later to test the guidance system for the US Army's Lacrosse missile.
More at: Lark.
Related
- Family
- ship-launched, surface-to-air
- Country
- USA
- Launch Sites
- Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral LA
- Agency
- Martin/Convair
Chronology
41 events
During 1946
Launch Vehicle: Lark.- Lark Program - . Nation: USA. Vultee Lark missile program in progress.
1950 October 25
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LA. Launch Vehicle: Lark.- Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 8.00 km (4.90 mi). The first Lark missile launched by Air Force from Cape Canaveral, the last of the three missiles launched in 1950 at the LRPG..