Alfa (rocket): Difference between revisions
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'''Alfa''' was the designation of an Italian program for the development of efficient solid-propellant rockets. The Alfa rocket was planned as two-stage rocket. It was never developed to completion, however test launches with upper stage mockup from [[Salto di Quirra]] took place between 1973 and 1975 |
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{{refimprove|date=October 2013}} |
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{{Infobox weapon |
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| name = Alfa |
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| image = Alfa missile.jpg |
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| caption = Test launch of an Alfa |
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| type = Intermediate range ballistic missile |
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<!-- Type selection --> |
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| is_vehicle = |
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| service = 1973–76 |
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| wars = |
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<!-- Production history --> |
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| designer = |
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| number = unknown |
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| spec_label = |
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| passengers = |
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<!-- Explosive specifications --> |
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| image_size = 300 |
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| origin = Italy |
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| is_ranged = |
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| is_bladed = |
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| is_explosive = yes |
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| is_artillery = |
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| is_missile = yes |
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| is_UK = yes |
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<!-- Service history --> |
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| used_by = [[Italian Navy]] |
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| design_date = |
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| manufacturer = [[Aeritalia]], Selenia, [[Avio|Snia BPD]] |
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| unit_cost = |
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| production_date = |
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| variants = |
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<!-- General specifications --> |
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| weight = {{convert|8000|kg|lb}} |
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| length = {{convert|6.5|m|ft}} |
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| part_length = {{convert|3.85|m|ft}} first stage |
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| width = |
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| height = {{convert|6.5|m|ft}} |
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| diameter = {{convert|1.37|m|in}} |
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| crew = |
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| filling = [[Nuclear warhead]] (planned) |
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| filling_weight = |
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| detonation = |
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| yield = |
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<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications --> |
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| armour = |
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| primary_armament = |
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| secondary_armament = |
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| engine = first stage, [[solid fuel rocket]]<br>{{convert|250|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} thrust |
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| engine_power = second stage, [[solid fuel rocket]]<br>thrust unknown |
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| pw_ratio = |
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| transmission = |
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| payload_capacity = |
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| suspension = |
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| clearance = |
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| fuel_capacity = first stage, {{convert|6050|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br>second stage, unknown |
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| vehicle_range = {{convert|1600|km|mi}} with 1 tonne warhead |
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| speed = |
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| guidance = [[Inertial navigation system|Inertial]] |
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| steering = |
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<!-- Missiles only --> |
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| wingspan = |
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| propellant = |
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| ceiling = |
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| altitude = |
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| depth = |
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| boost = first stage, 57 seconds<br />second stage, unknown |
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| accuracy = |
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| launch_platform = surface vessels |
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| transport = |
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}} |
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'''Alfa''' was the designation of an Italian [[ballistic missile]] program that started in 1971 under the control of the GRS (Gruppo di Realizzazione Speciale Interforze). It was related to the [[UGM-27 Polaris |Polaris A-3]] missile. |
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The Alfa was 6.5 meters long and had a diameter of 1.37 meters. The first stage of the Alfa was 3.85 m long and contained 6 t of solid rocket fuel. It supplied a thrust of 232 kN for a duration of 57 seconds. |
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== Development == |
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*http://www.univ-perp.fr/fuseurop/alfa_e.htm |
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Born from the development effort for efficient solid-propellant rocket engines, the Alfa was planned as a two-stage missile. Test launches with an upper stage mockup took place between 1973 and 1975, from [[Salto di Quirra]].<ref name="Two">{{cite web | via = Friends partners |url= http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/alfa.htm|title=Alfa |publisher= Astronautix|accessdate=6 October 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110605135736/http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/alfa.htm|archive-date=5 June 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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[[File:Alfa Missile.jpg|thumb|left|Italian Alfa missile side and cutaway views]] |
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[[de:Alfa (Rakete)]] |
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The Alfa was {{convert|6.5|m}} long and had a diameter of {{convert|1.37|m}}. The first stage of the Alfa was {{convert|3.85|m}} long and contained 6 t of [[HTPB]]-based [[composite propellant|composite solid propellant]] (73% [[Ammonium perchlorate|AP]], 15% binder and 12% [[aluminium]]). It supplied a thrust of 232 [[Newton (unit)|kN]] for a duration of 57 seconds. It could carry a one tonne warhead for a range of 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), placing [[European Russia]] and Moscow in range of the [[Adriatic Sea]].<ref name="Two" /> |
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[[Category:Rockets and missiles]] |
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[[Italy]] has been active in the space sector since 1957, conducting launch and control operations from the [[Luigi Broglio Space Centre]]. The advanced Scout and [[Vega launcher]]s currently used by the [[European Space Agency]] (ESA) derive their technological basis partially from Alfa studies.<ref name="Two"/> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Italian nuclear weapons program]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{commonscat|Alfa (missile)}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alfa (Rocket)}} |
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{{rocketry-stub}} |
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{{italy-mil-stub}} |
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{{Nuclear-weapon-stub}} |
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[[Category:Medium-range ballistic missiles]] |
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[[Category:Guided missiles of Italy]] |
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[[Category:Naval weapons of Italy]] |
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Latest revision as of 03:25, 29 June 2024
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (August 2017) |
| This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2013) |
| Alfa | |
|---|---|
 Test launch of an Alfa | |
| Type | Intermediate range ballistic missile |
| Place of origin | Italy |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1973–76 |
| Used by | Italian Navy |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Aeritalia, Selenia, Snia BPD |
| No. built | unknown |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb) |
| Length | 6.5 metres (21 ft) |
| length | 3.85 metres (12.6 ft) first stage |
| Height | 6.5 metres (21 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.37 metres (54 in) |
| Warhead | Nuclear warhead (planned) |
| Engine | first stage, solid fuel rocket 250 kN (56,000 lbf) thrust second stage, solid fuel rocket thrust unknown |
Operational range | 1,600 kilometres (990 mi) with 1 tonne warhead |
| Boost time | first stage, 57 seconds second stage, unknown |
Guidance system | Inertial |
Launch platform | surface vessels |
Alfa was the designation of an Italian ballistic missile program that started in 1971 under the control of the GRS (Gruppo di Realizzazione Speciale Interforze). It was related to the Polaris A-3 missile.
Development
[edit]Born from the development effort for efficient solid-propellant rocket engines, the Alfa was planned as a two-stage missile. Test launches with an upper stage mockup took place between 1973 and 1975, from Salto di Quirra.[1]
The Alfa was 6.5 metres (21 ft) long and had a diameter of 1.37 metres (4 ft 6 in). The first stage of the Alfa was 3.85 metres (12.6 ft) long and contained 6 t of HTPB-based composite solid propellant (73% AP, 15% binder and 12% aluminium). It supplied a thrust of 232 kN for a duration of 57 seconds. It could carry a one tonne warhead for a range of 1,600 kilometres (990 mi), placing European Russia and Moscow in range of the Adriatic Sea.[1]
Italy has been active in the space sector since 1957, conducting launch and control operations from the Luigi Broglio Space Centre. The advanced Scout and Vega launchers currently used by the European Space Agency (ESA) derive their technological basis partially from Alfa studies.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Alfa". Astronautix. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2013 – via Friends partners.
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