Alfa (rocket)

Alfa
Test launch of an Alfa
Type	Intermediate range ballistic missile
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1973-1976
Used by	Italian Navy
Production history
Manufacturer	Aeritalia
No. built	40
Specifications
Mass	8,000 kilograms (18,000 lb)
Length	3.85 metres (12.6 ft)
length	first stage
Height	6.5 metres (21 ft)
Diameter	1.37 metres (54 in)
Warhead	Nuclear warhead
Engine	first stage, solid fuel rocket 250 kN (56,000 lbf) thrust second stage, solid fuel rocket thrust unknown
Propellant	Cordite
Operational range	1,600 kilometres (990 mi)
Flight altitude	apogee 300 km (190 mi)
Boost time	first stage, 57 seconds second stage, unknown
Guidance system	Inertial
Launch platform	surface vessels

Alfa was the designation of an Italian solid propellant IRBM program. Starting as a development effort for a study on efficient solid-propellant rockets, the Alfa rocket was planned as two-stage rocket. Test launches with upper stage mockup from Salto di Quirra took place between 1973 and 1975.

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.

It was able to cover all eastern countries and all western USSR launched from frigates or destroyers in the Adriatic Sea. Several missiles of this type (around 40) were produced by Aeritalia.An Alfa rocket it's today exposed at the Cameri Museum in Novara department.

External links

• http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/alfa.htm
• http://www.friends-partners.org/partners/mwade/lvs/alfa.htm