Hermes (missile program)

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Hermes A-1, A-3B

The first Hermes A-1 test rocket, fired at White Sands Proving Ground

Function

A-1: Experimental

Manufacturer

A-1 (1946): General Electric[1]

Country of origin

United States

Size

Height

A-1: 300 in; A-3B 396 in[1]

Diameter

A-1: 34 5/8 in; A-3B 47 in[1]

Mass

A-1: 3000 lb; A-3B 5139 lb[1]

Launch history

Status

Retired

Launch sites

White Sands Proving Ground

Total launches

58[2]

A-1: Five (May 1950-April 1951)[1]

A-3B: Six - 1 failed (1953-1954)

The Hermes project (November 20, 1944 - December 31, 1954) was a United States Army
Ordnance Corps missile program contracted to theGeneral Electric Company.
[1]

After German V-2 parts and technology were imported into the United States after the war, the U. S.
Army formed the Upper Atmosphere Research Panel in early 1946 to oversee experiments both
about their technology and their use for upper atmosphere research. One-third of the panel
members were General Electric scientists. The Hermes project was expanded to include testing of
the V-2 sounding rockets.
General Electric employees reassembled them at White Sands
Proving Grounds in New Mexico where the Army constructed a blockhouse andLaunch Complex 33,
now a National Historical Landmark. The first V-2 launch there was on April 16, 1946 but reached
only 3.4 miles altitude instead of the 35 miles achieved for later experiments.
[citation needed]

[3]

The development of the 25 ft tall Hermes A-1 rocket was begun by General Electric in 1946.
Constructed mostly of steel, it was an American version of the similarly-sized
German Wasserfall anti-aircraft missile; the Wasserfall was about 1/4 the size of the German A-4 (V2).
[4]

Beginning in 1947, components of the A-1 were successfully tested at GE's Malta Test Station in
New York and at White Sands. Five A-1 rockets were successfully launched at White Sands
between May 1950 and April 1951. The Hermes A-1 had a maximum range of 38 miles and altitude
of 15 miles.
[4]

[5]

The slightly larger Hermes A-3B was the last produced and tested vehicle of the Hermes missile
program. It was designed as a tactical surface-to-surface missile carrying a 1,000 lb warhead with a
150 mile range but never achieved that range in practice. It had a thrust of 22,600 lb-force. By 19531954 six A-3B's were test launched at White Sands, five successfully. None of the Hermes missiles
became operational, but did provide experience in the design, construction, and handling of largescale missiles and rocket engines. The Hermes program was canceled in 1954.
[6]