RIM-24 Tartar

Last updated
RIM-24 Tartar
RIM-24 Tartar on USS Berkeley (DDG-15) 1970.jpg
RIM-24 on USS Berkeley in 1970
TypeMedium range surface-to-air missile
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1958 [1]
Used by United States Navy, Australia, Germany [1]
Production history
Manufacturer General Dynamics (Convair)
Specifications
Mass1,200 lb (540 kg) [1]
Length186 in (470 cm) [1]
Diameter13.5 in (34 cm)
Warhead130 lb (59 kg) continuous-rod

EngineDual thrust, Solid-fuel rocket
PropellantSolid Rocket Fuel
Operational
range
8.7 nmi (16.1 km; 10.0 mi) (RIM-24A)
16 nmi (30 km; 18 mi) (RIM-24B)
17.5 nmi (32.4 km; 20.1 mi) (RIM-24C)
Flight ceiling50,000 ft (15 km) (RIM-24A)
65,000 ft (20 km) (RIM-24B)
Maximum speed Mach 1.8
Guidance
system
SARH
Launch
platform
Surface ship

The General Dynamics RIM-24 Tartar was a medium-range naval surface-to-air missile (SAM), among the earliest SAMs to equip United States Navy ships. The Tartar was the third of the so-called "3 Ts", the three primary SAMs the Navy fielded in the 1960s and 1970s, the others being the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-8 Talos.

Contents

History

The Tartar was born of a need for a more lightweight system for smaller ships that could engage targets at very close range. Essentially, the Tartar was simply a RIM-2C Terrier without the secondary booster. The Tartar was never given a SAM-N-x designation and was referred to as Missile Mk 15 until the unified Army-Navy designation system was introduced in 1963.

The Tartar was used on several ships of a variety of sizes. Initially, the Mk 11 twin-arm launcher was used; later ships used the Mk 13 and Mk 22 single-arm launchers. Early versions proved to be unreliable. The Improved Tartar retrofit program upgraded the earlier missiles to the much improved RIM-24C standard. Further development was canceled, and a new missile, the RIM-66 Standard, was designed to replace it. Even after the upgrade to a new missile, ships were still said to be "Tartar ships" because they carried the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System.

A dedicated anti-ship version for the Federal German Navy carrying a Bullpup warhead was abandoned when Germany purchased MM38 Exocet instead.

Development

The RIM-24 Tartar missile represented a significant advancement in naval air-defense systems during the Cold War era. Introduced in 1958, the Tartar was developed as a single-stage, short-to-medium range surface-to-air missile, evolving from its precursor, the RIM-2 Terrier shipboard missile. [1] The Tartar was designed to engage airborne threats and provide a robust defense for smaller naval combat vessels. It also served as a secondary missile system on larger ships, complementing the longer-range capabilities of the Terrier and Talos missiles. [1]

The deployment of the RIM-24 Tartar marked a pivotal point in naval warfare, as it enhanced the fleet's air defense autonomy. Ships outfitted with the Tartar missile system gained a significant increase in firepower, allowing them to engage enemy aircraft with greater accuracy and lethality. These ships were colloquially referred to as "Tartar ships," a testament to the missile system's centrality to their defensive arsenal.

The Tartar missile system continued to be a mainstay on numerous naval ships until the late 1960s. [1] During this period, the RIM-24 began to be phased out and replaced by the more advanced RIM-66 Standard Missile, which offered improved range and guidance systems. Despite the transition to newer technologies, the legacy of the Tartar missile persisted, with "Tartar ships" remaining a part of naval vernacular well into the latter part of the 20th century.

The RIM-24 Tartar played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Standard Missile line. Developed by General Dynamics' Pomona Division, the Tartar, alongside the RIM-2 Terrier, emerged directly from the Bumblebee Program, an initiative from the late Second World War aimed at advancing guided weaponry for fleet air defense. [2] The development of the Standard Missile, which began in October 1963, marked a significant shift in naval armaments, signifying a move towards more versatile medium and extended-range variants. [3]

Operational History

As advancements in missile technology progressed, the RIM-24 Tartar system began a systematic phase-out from active deployment. The transition to more sophisticated missile systems was indicative of the natural evolution in naval armaments as new threats and technological capabilities emerged. The last variant in operation was the Improved TARTAR Retrofit (ITR) RIM-24C. This model was primarily utilized for exercise firings, a role it was expected to fulfill until existing stockpiles were exhausted. [4] The cessation of the Tartar's operational status was marked by the introduction of the STANDARD (MR) RIM-66A and RIM-66B missiles, which featured enhanced capabilities and technological refinements over their predecessors. [1]

Features

Guidance and Range

The RIM-24 Tartar missile utilized a semiactive homing system for targeting. Uniquely, it had the capability to switch to passive homing in response to jamming signals emitted by the target. This feature enhanced its effectiveness in electronically contested environments. The Tartar had an operational range of approximately 10 miles, making it suitable for short-to-medium-range engagements. [3]

Variations

Ships carrying Tartar fire control systems

Operators

Past Operators

Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Flag of France.svg  France
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands
Flag of the United States.svg  United States

See also

Similar missile systems

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RUR-5 ASROC</span> Anti-submarine missile system

The RUR-5 ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates. The ASROC has been deployed on scores of warships of many other navies, including Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of China, Greece, Pakistan and others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cruiser</span> Type of large warships

A cruiser is a type of warship. Modern cruisers are generally the largest ships in a fleet after aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships, and can usually perform several roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aegis Combat System</span> American integrated naval weapons system developed by RCA and produced by Lockheed Martin

The Aegis Combat System is an American integrated naval weapons system, which uses computers and radars to track and guide weapons to destroy enemy targets. It was developed by the Missile and Surface Radar Division of RCA, and it is now produced by Lockheed Martin.

County-class destroyer Class of British warships

The County class was a class of British guided missile destroyers, the first such warships built by the Royal Navy. Designed specifically around the Seaslug anti-aircraft missile system, the primary role of these ships was area air defence around the aircraft carrier task force in the nuclear-war environment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-2 Terrier</span> Medium Range Surface-to-air missile

The Convair RIM-2 Terrier was a two-stage medium-range naval surface-to-air missile (SAM), among the earliest SAMs to equip United States Navy ships. It underwent significant upgrades while in service, starting with beam-riding guidance with a 10-nautical-mile (19 km) range at a speed of Mach 1.8 and ending as a semi-active radar homing (SARH) system with a range of 40 nmi (74 km) at speeds as high as Mach 3. It was replaced in service by the RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Navy 1975 ship reclassification</span>

The United States Navy reclassified many of its surface vessels in 1975, changing terminology and hull classification symbols for cruisers, frigates, and ocean escorts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AN/SPG-51</span>

The AN/SPG-51 is an American tracking / illumination fire-control radar for RIM-24 Tartar and RIM-66 Standard missiles. It is used for target tracking and Surface-to-air missile guidance as part of the Mk. 73 gun and missile director system, which is part of the Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark 13 missile launcher</span> Guided Missile Launching System

The Mark 13 guided missile launching system (GMLS) is a single-arm missile launcher designed for use on frigates and other military vessels. Because of its distinctive single-armed design, the Mark 13 is often referred to as the "one-armed bandit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-8 Talos</span> U.S. Navy surface-to-air missile (1955–1979)

Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile (SAM), among the earliest SAMs to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semi-active radar homing (SARH) for terminal guidance. The four antennas surrounding the nose were SARH receivers, which functioned as a continuous wave interferometer. A solid rocket booster provided thrust for launch and a Bendix ramjet powered its flight to the target, with the warhead serving as the ramjet's compressor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System</span> An air defense system

The Tartar Guided Missile Fire Control System is an air defense system developed by the United States Navy to defend warships from air attack. Since its introduction the system has been improved and sold to several United States allies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun</span> Naval artillery gun

The 5" /54 caliber lightweight gun is a U.S. naval artillery gun mount consisting of a 5 in (127 mm) L54 Mark 19 gun on the Mark 45 mount. It was designed and built by United Defense, a company later acquired by BAE Systems Land & Armaments, which continued manufacture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Threat Upgrade</span>

New Threat Upgrade (NTU) was a United States Navy program to improve and modernize the capability of existing cruisers and destroyers equipped with Terrier and Tartar anti-aircraft systems, keeping them in service longer.

<i>Belknap</i>-class cruiser US guided missile cruiser class

The Belknap-class cruiser was a class of single-ended guided-missile cruisers built for the United States Navy during the 1960s. They were originally designated as DLG frigates, but in the 1975 fleet realignment, they were reclassified as guided missile cruisers (CG).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Bumblebee</span> US Navy effort to develop surface-to-air missiles

Operation Bumblebee was a US Navy effort to develop surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) to provide a mid-range layer of anti-aircraft defense between anti-aircraft guns in the short range and fighter aircraft operating at long range. A major reason for the Bumblebee efforts was the need to engage bombers before they could launch standoff anti-shipping weapons, as these aircraft might never enter the range of the shipboard guns.

<i>Albany</i>-class cruiser US Navy cruiser class

The Albany-class guided-missile cruisers were converted Baltimore and Oregon City-class heavy cruisers of the United States Navy. All original superstructure and weapons were removed and replaced under project SCB 172. The converted ships had new very high superstructures and relied heavily on aluminium to save weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-66 Standard</span> US medium range surface-to-air missile

The RIM-66 Standard MR (SM-1MR/SM-2MR) is a medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM), with a secondary role as an anti-ship missile, developed for the United States Navy (USN). A member of the Standard Missile family of weapons, the SM-1 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-2 Terrier and RIM-24 Tartar that were deployed in the 1950s on a variety of USN ships. The RIM-67 Standard (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range version of this missile with a solid rocket booster stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-67 Standard</span> Extended range surface-to-air missile with anti-ship capability

The RIM-67 Standard ER (SM-1ER/SM-2ER) is an extended range surface-to-air missile (SAM) with a secondary anti-ship capability, originally developed for the United States Navy (USN). The RIM-67 was developed as a replacement for the RIM-8 Talos, a 1950s system deployed on a variety of USN ships, and eventually replaced the RIM-2 Terrier as well, since it was of a similar size and fitted existing Terrier launchers and magazines. The RIM-66 Standard MR was essentially the same missile without the booster stage, designed to replace the RIM-24 Tartar. The RIM-66/67 series thus became the US Navy's universal SAM system, hence the designation "Standard Missile".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RIM-50 Typhon</span> Long range surface-to-air missile

Typhon was a missile system developed by the United States Navy in the late 1950s, intended to serve as an integrated air-defense system for Navy fleets. Consisting of the SAM-N-8 Typhon LR, later designated RIM-50A, and the SAM-N-9 Typhon MR, later RIM-55A, paired with the AN/SPG-59 radar system, the cost of the Typhon system led to it being cancelled in favor of the Standard Missile program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark 41 Vertical Launching System</span> Missile launching system

The Mark 41 Vertical Launching System is a shipborne missile canister launching system which provides a rapid-fire launch capability against hostile threats. The Vertical Launch System (VLS) concept was derived from work on the Aegis Combat System.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nicklas, Brian (2012). American Missiles: The Complete Smithsonian Field Guide. Frontline Books. ISBN   9781848325173.
  2. Waters, Conrad (2021-04-29). Seaforth World Naval Review 2021. Casemate Publishers. ISBN   978-1-5267-9076-7.
  3. 1 2 Command, United States Naval Education and Training (1978). Surface Ship Operations. Department of Defense, Navy Department, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations], Naval Education and Training Command. p. 261.
  4. Coté, Gilbert J. (1981). Fire control technician M 3. Naval Education and Training Command.