Model: Enzian.

Enzian Credit - © Mark Wade

Surface-to-air missile. Other Family: Cancelled. Country: Germany. Status: Cancelled 1945.

German surface-to-air missile, tested during World War II but abandoned in 1945 in favour of Wasserfall.

In 25 September 1942 Goering authorised development of four types of surface to air missiles: unguided rockets (Taifun), target-seeking guided rockets (Enzian); operator optically-guidedockets (Rheintochter and Schmetterling); and radar-guided rockets (Wasserfall).

The Enzian surface-to-air missile duplicated the aerodynamic configuration of the Me-163 rocket fighter, and was developed at the same test centre at Oberammergau. The flying wing design used two ailerons to control the missile after a powder rocket launch. There were many variants designed. Flight trials were conducted at Peenemuende. A total of 38 flew, including 16 equipped with guidance systems. However only 30-35% of the tests were successful. Work was cancelled at the beginning of 1945 in favour of concentrating on the Wasserfall.