Mace Credit - via Andreas Parsch

Intermediate range cruise missile. Only Cape Canaveral launches are listed here, but over 30 launches were also conducted from Launch Area Able-51 by Det 1, 4504th CCTW at Holloman AFB, New Mexico from October 1959 throurgh 1963.

Historical Essay © Andreas Parsch

Martin TM-76/MGM-13/CGM-13 Mace

The Mace was a development of the TM-61 Matador missile, and as such was initially designated TM-61B Matador B. The main reasons for the new development were the Matador's radio-controlled guidance system, which was limited in range and easily jammable, and the fact that the Matador missile system was very cumbersome to move and set up for firing.

The Mace missile had redesigned airframe, with smaller wings and a longer fuselage. The larger internal volume increased range to about 1300 km (800 miles). Additionally, the missile was transported fully assembled (except booster) on its zero-length launch trailer.

The most important change, however, was the new guidance system, called ATRAN (Automatic Terrain Recognition And Navigation). The ATRAN system, developed by Goodyear, matched the radar return of the surface with pre-preprogrammed radar images, thereby enabling the missile to follow a predetermined course. ATRAN was essentially the first application of the modern TERCOM (Terrain Contour Matching) guidance principle. The system was fully autonomous and jamming-resistant. The disadvantage, however, was the necessity to obtain radar images of the potential target areas, which was not an easy task in the 1950's.

Flight testing of the YTM-61B began in 1956. Because the missile was significantly different from the original TM-61 Matador, the YTM-61B/TM-61B Matador B was redesignated as YTM-76/TM-76 Mace in early 1958. The production version was designated TM-76A. The first squadron of TM-76A became operational in 1959, and Mace soon replaced many existing Matador missiles.

The TM-76B Mace B, development of which started in 1959, had an AC Spark Plug "AChiever" inertial guidance system instead of ATRAN. This allowed the Mace B to fly at high-altitude, which almost doubled the missile's range. An inertial guidance system requires the exact coordinates of the launch location. In the 1950's/60's, this required an accurate survey of the launch site which ruled out mobile use of the TM-76B. It was therefore based in fixed, semi-hardended shelters. As a compensation, launch times could be very short. The first TM-76B launch occurred on 11 July 1960, and the first operational missiles were deployed in 1961.

Im 1963, the TM-76 Mace was redesignated in the M-13 series. Originally, the TM-76 development vehicles became MGM-13A, the TM-76A became MGM-13B, and the TM-76B became CGM-13C. The change of the TM-76A/B suffix letters to B/C caused some confusion, and because the developmental vehicles were no longer relevant anyway, the designations were changed again in 1964. The TM-76/MGM-13A was dropped, the TM-76A/MGM-13B became MGM-13A, and the TM-76B/CGM-13C became CGM-13B. The following table should clarify this:

In 1965, Secretary of Defense Robert McNamary decided that the Army's MGM-31A Pershing missile should replace the USAF's Mace, mainly because of the Pershing's high-speed launch ability. By 1966, the MGM-13A had been withdrawn, and by 1971 the Mace was no longer in active service. The remaining missiles were used as full-size target drones. As such, the MGM-13A was redesignated MQM-13A, and the CGM-13B became MQM-13B. Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for TM-76A (MGM-13A), except where noted:

[1] James N. Gibson: "Nuclear Weapons of the United States", Schiffer Publishing Ltd, 1996
[2] Kenneth P.Werrell: "The Evolution of the Cruise Missile", Air University Press, 1985
[3] Bill Gunston: "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Rockets and Missiles", Salamander Books Ltd, 1979

Manufacturer: Martin Orlando. Launches: 44. Failures: 1. Success Rate: 97.73%. First Launch Date: 1959-10-29. Last Launch Date: 1963-07-17. Launch data is: incomplete. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). Total Mass: 8,500 kg (18,700 lb). Core Diameter: 1.40 m (4.50 ft). Total Length: 14.30 m (46.90 ft).

Manufacturer: Martin Orlando. Liftoff Thrust: 17.750 kN (3,990 lbf). Total Mass: 8,160 kg (17,980 lb). Core Diameter: 1.37 m (4.49 ft). Total Length: 13.41 m (43.99 ft). Span: 6.98 m (22.90 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,360 kg (2,990 lb). Maximum range: 1,210 km (750 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Cruise Propulsion: Turbojet. Guidance: Inertial or Terrain Correlation. Maximum speed: 1,050 kph (650 mph). Ceiling: 12,200 m (40,000 ft).

Manufacturer: Martin Orlando. Liftoff Thrust: 23.500 kN (5,283 lbf). Total Mass: 8,160 kg (17,980 lb). Core Diameter: 1.37 m (4.49 ft). Total Length: 13.60 m (44.60 ft). Span: 6.98 m (22.90 ft). Standard warhead mass: 1,360 kg (2,990 lb). Maximum range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi). Number Standard Warheads: 1. Standard warhead: W28. Standard warhead yield: 1,000 KT. Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Cruise Propulsion: Turbojet. Guidance: Inertial. Maximum speed: 1,130 kph (700 mph).

1945 October 31 - Launch Vehicle: Matador, Mace, Rascal, Snark, Atlas A, Navaho SSM-A-2.

• US Strategic Missile Programs Begin Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. Request For Proposals were issued to 17 contractors by the US Army Air Force for studies of a 10-year R&D program of four missile types. The missiles were to be air-, rail-, road-, or ship- transportable, and fit in three range categories: 280 to 800 km; 800 to 2400 km; and 2400 to 8000 km. Minimum speed was 970 kph, requiring turbojet, ramjet, or rocket propulsion.References: 4460.

• Army Air Force awards nine one-year missile study contracts. Nation: USA. Program: Navaho. The MX-770 contract for an 800-km range boost-glide missile derived from the German A9 concept went to North American; this would evolve into the Navaho triple-sonic intercontinental cruise missile. Martin received a contract for development of the MX-771, a subsonic ground-launched cruise missile with an 800-km range; it would evolve into the Matador and Mace missiles. Curtiss-Wright and Republic received contracts for the MX-772 and MX-773 surface-to-surface missiles; they never advanced beyond the initial study stage. Convair received the contract for long-range rocket-powered missiles; this evolved into the Atlas ICBM. Northrtop received the MX-775 contract for a 5000-km range cruise missile; this eventually flew as the Snark. Bell receives a contract to develop the MX-776, a 160-km range rocket-powered supersonic missile to be launched from B-29 bombers. This would evolve into the Rascal. McDonnell received a study contract for the MX-777 air-to-surface missile; this evolved into the anti-submarine 'hydrobomb' concept and was eventually transferred to the Navy. Goodyear received contracts for the MX-778 and MX-779 air-to-surface missiles; these never advanced beyond the preliminary study stage. Concurrently, the USAAF had the GARPA surface-to-air missile project underway, which would evolve into Bomarc; the USA Army the Corporal and Hermes (later Redstone) surface-to-surface missiles and the Nike and Hermes A1 surface-to-air missiles; and the Navy a range of missile technology development projects (Regulus, Bat, Kingfisher, Little Joe, Lark, Bumblebee, Gorgon, Dove).References: 221.

• MX-771 canceled. Nation: USA. The US Army cancels the Martin MX-771 tactical cruise missile, deciding it will instead procure a land-launched version of the similar Navy Regulus.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 872.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Test mission Nation: USA. Agency: USAF 4505MTW. Apogee: 12 km (7 mi). References: 802.

• Parsch, Andreas, DesignationSystems.Net, . Outstanding, unique reference for aircraft, missiles, propulsion, and avionics systems. Accessed at: http://www.designation-systems.net/.