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{{one source|date=August 2017}}
'''Alfa''' was the designation of an Italian solid propellant SLBM program. Starting as a development effort for a study on 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.
{{refimprove|date=October 2013}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Alfa
| image = Alfa missile.jpg
| caption = Test launch of an Alfa
| type = Intermediate range ballistic missile
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_vehicle =
| service = 1973–76
| wars =
<!-- Production history -->
| designer =
| number = unknown
| spec_label =
| passengers =
<!-- Explosive specifications -->
| image_size = 300
| origin = Italy
| is_ranged =
| is_bladed =
| is_explosive = yes
| is_artillery =
| is_missile = yes
| is_UK = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| used_by = [[Italian Navy]]
| design_date =
| manufacturer = [[Aeritalia]], Selenia, [[Avio|Snia BPD]]
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| variants =
<!-- General specifications -->
| weight = {{convert|8000|kg|lb}}
| length = {{convert|6.5|m|ft}}
| part_length = {{convert|3.85|m|ft}} first stage
| width =
| height = {{convert|6.5|m|ft}}
| diameter = {{convert|1.37|m|in}}
| crew =
| filling = [[Nuclear warhead]] (planned)
| filling_weight =
| detonation =
| yield =
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour =
| primary_armament =
| secondary_armament =
| engine = first stage, [[solid fuel rocket]]<br>{{convert|250|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} thrust
| engine_power = second stage, [[solid fuel rocket]]<br>thrust unknown
| pw_ratio =
| transmission =
| payload_capacity =
| suspension =
| clearance =
| fuel_capacity = first stage, {{convert|6050|kg|lb|abbr=on}}<br>second stage, unknown
| vehicle_range = {{convert|1600|km|mi}} with 1 tonne warhead
| speed =
| guidance = [[Inertial navigation system|Inertial]]
| steering =
<!-- Missiles only -->
| wingspan =
| propellant =
| ceiling =
| altitude =
| depth =
| boost = first stage, 57 seconds<br />second stage, unknown
| accuracy =
| launch_platform = surface vessels
| transport =
}}


'''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.
The Italian [[Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty|NPT]] ratification in 1975 effectively ended the project.


== Development ==
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.
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>
*http://www.univ-perp.fr/fuseurop/alfa_e.htm
*http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/alfa.htm
*http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/alfa.htm


[[File:Alfa Missile.jpg|thumb|left|Italian Alfa missile side and cutaway views]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alfa (Rocket)}}
[[Category:Rockets and missiles]]


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&nbsp;[[Newton (unit)|kN]] for a duration of 57 seconds. It could carry a one tonne warhead for a range of 1,600 kilometres (990&nbsp;mi), placing [[European Russia]] and Moscow in range of the [[Adriatic Sea]].<ref name="Two" />
[[de:Alfa (Rakete)]]
[[es:Alfa (misil)]]


[[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"/>

==See also==
* [[Italian nuclear weapons program]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{commonscat|Alfa (missile)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alfa (Rocket)}}
{{rocketry-stub}}
{{rocketry-stub}}
{{italy-mil-stub}}
{{Nuclear-weapon-stub}}

[[Category:Medium-range ballistic missiles]]
[[Category:Guided missiles of Italy]]
[[Category:Naval weapons of Italy]]

Latest revision as of 03:25, 29 June 2024

Alfa
Test launch of an Alfa
TypeIntermediate range ballistic missile
Place of originItaly
Service history
In service1973–76
Used byItalian Navy
Production history
ManufacturerAeritalia, Selenia, Snia BPD
No. builtunknown
Specifications
Mass8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb)
Length6.5 metres (21 ft)
 length3.85 metres (12.6 ft) first stage
Height6.5 metres (21 ft)
Diameter1.37 metres (54 in)
WarheadNuclear warhead (planned)
Enginefirst 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 timefirst 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]

Italian Alfa missile side and cutaway views

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]
  1. ^ a b c "Alfa". Astronautix. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2013 – via Friends partners.
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